Rob Edwards has hailed Emile Smith Rowe as ‘exceptional’ after his man of the match performance in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Luton Town.
Smith Rowe set Arsenal on their way for Martin Odegaard’s opening strike before providing the ‘assist’ for their second – a Daiki Hashioka own goal which Reiss Nelson wanted to claim.
It was just his third start of the league season – his fourth in all competitions – but he underlined his quality with a creative display.
Edwards said: ‘He’s a really good player. I was lucky enough, he probably won’t remember, but I did a few England camps with him at the Under-20s when I was at the FA and I thought he was outstanding.
Rob Edwards hailed Emile Smith Rowe (pictured) as an ‘exceptional’ player after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Luton
Luton boss Edwards said he has ‘always been a big admirer’ of Smith Rowe since his youth days
‘We played Portugal and we won 4-0 in Portugal [in 2019] and I thought he was brilliant and I’ve always been a big admirer of his.
‘I thought he was really good. He’s a top player. They’ve got a lot of top players here and he’s just been unfortunate not to get in but I think he’s an exceptional player.’
With Arsenal bursting at the seams with talent and Smith Rowe having struggled with injuries, it has been a peripheral campaign for the Hale End academy graduate.
Still only 23, there is time for him to break back into the side, but his influence has diminished compared to the 2021/22 season, when he scored 11 goals in 37 outings.
However, with seven more games to come in April – and potentially an eighth if they make the Champions League semi-finals – he could be pivotal in the run-in.
Rotation will be crucial for Mikel Arteta’s side as they look to compete on the domestic and European fronts.
A quarter-final assignment against their old nemesis, Bayern Munich, awaits after a clash with Brighton this Saturday.
Arteta made five changes for the Luton match and was pleased with how fringe players such as Smith Rowe, Nelson, and Thomas Partey acquitted themselves.
Smith Rowe was instrumental in both of Arsenal’s goals as they went top of the Premier League
Mikel Arteta said he ‘loves’ Smith Rowe as a player and that he is a ‘joy to watch’ on the pitch
He said: ‘They responded really well and I’m so happy with that. It was a wonderful game.
‘When they get their moment, they have to take it and they certainly did today. They give me every reason (to pick them) every day.
‘If we had lost the game it would’ve been because we made the changes and it’s not as simple as that. You have to do what is right, what they deserve and it’s good confidence.’
‘I love him as a player [Smith Rowe]. It’s a joy to watch him with the way he moves and how physical he is as well.
‘He helped us a lot to win the game also today.’
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