‘He finishes like a centre-forward’: International boss hails Arsenal midfielder

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe has been praised by England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley for his attacking credentials, saying he “finishes like a centre-forward”.

The Gunners ace scored a crucial goal for the Young Lions on Monday night, helping them to a 1-0 win over Andorra in Under-21 European Championship qualifying.

Smith Rowe’s goal, his first for the U21s, came in the 67th minute, with England down to ten men.

Rhian Brewster was harshly sent off in the 55th minute after an innocuous challenge earned him a second yellow. card.

After a quick break from Curtis Jones following an Andorra corner, the Liverpool man played in Smith Rowe, who showed composure to slot into the bottom corner.

The Arsenal gem’s goal spared Carsley’s blushes against one of Europe’s smallest footballing nations, who nonetheless held England to a 3-3 draw last year.

Smith Rowe now has three goals in his last five games for club and country after bagging for Arsenal against both Wimbledon and Tottenham.

“With any wide player they are always judged on goals and assists and Emile has got the ability to do both,” Carsley told the Evening Standard.

“I’ve seen him in training, the way he finds the corners and finishes very calmly, he finishes like a centre forward at times and the opposite to that is that he has got that last pass which is really important.

“That’s why I’m keen on getting him in really attacking positions more often, the higher up we can get him and the more we can get him one-vs-one he’ll create a lot of problems like he does at Arsenal.”

Arsenal are next in action on Monday night when they host Crystal Palace in the Premier League.