David Webb says Arsenal starlet Emile Smith-Rowe impressed at Huddersfield

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Arsenal starlet, Emile Smith-Rowe, has been credited with having a big impact on the Gunners’ change in fortunes by former Huddersfield head of operations, David Webb.

Webb was credited with getting the deal for Smith-Rowe over the line last year, as the young Arsenal man helped the Terriers survive in the Championship.

Since then, Smith-Rowe has gone back to Arsenal and has been in exceptional form recently. And Webb, speaking to the BBC, believes Smith-Rowe’s spell at Huddersfield has served him well in North London.

“It was a different challenge for him altogether at Huddersfield and I think it really helped him. The training was quite competitive and physical, which he enjoyed and he took it on to the pitch. He was getting knocked and kicked and bullied about a bit, but he took it all in his stride,” said Webb.

“That really developed his fighting spirit, which has helped him now because he came into Arsenal when they were in a bit of a dip and they needed that.”

The young attacking midfielder is currently under pressure to keep his place after Arsenal signed Martin Odegaard. However, Mikel Arteta is a big fan of Smith-Rowe, and keeps giving the youngster minutes from the start.

Along with Bukayo Saka, Smith-Rowe is leading a charge at Arsenal led by young and upcoming players.

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Smith-Rowe was good at Huddersfield without being spectacular, but this season, he looks a different animal.

It’s clear his time in the second tier has got him used to playing proper football. He plays without fear, brings so much to the Gunners in the final third, and is as good as a new signing this year really.