Arsenal’s Emile Smith-Rowe can be ‘world class’, compared to Grealish

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Former Huddersfield manager Danny Cowley has said he believes Arsenal starlet Emile Smith-Rowe has the potential to be ‘world-class’.

The young midfielder has been given his chance by Mikel Arteta this season. He’s exploded onto the scene, too, cementing his place in the Gunners’ midfield despite a wealth of talent at the club.

Smith-Rowe’s emergence comes following a spell with Huddersfield last season on loan. Cowley was his manager during his time with the Terriers and, speaking to Talksport, is under illusions about the talent the Arsenal man possesses.

“He has got that little bit of Jack Grealish about him. He’s got the ability to square defenders up and go past them like they’re not there. He’s so hard not to get excited about, he has potential to be world-class,” Cowley said.

“I look at the top 8-10 players in the world and what he needs to add to his game are goals to the assists he’s regularly making now. I think that’s about his timing and arriving in the box, his anticipation in the box is something he needs to work on.”

Smith-Rowe has yet to score a Premier League but has provided three assists. The arrival of Martin Odegaard is bound to put some pressure on him, too.

But for now, the Arsenal youngster remains very much favoured by Mikel Arteta and will be looking to help the Gunners out of their mini slump at the moment following two successive losses.

TBR View: Big claim but Smith-Rowe does look to have all the tools

Obviously, Grealish is now in that world-class category but Smith-Rowe is well on his way if he continues to develop.

He’s given Arsenal a real boost this season and it’s like a new signing for the club in reality. Smith-Rowe has all the tools in the world to be a top class attacking midfielder and Cowley will know him very well.

Arsenal fans are happy with their man for now but will be hoping for even more in the coming months and years.