International boss says Arsenal 21-year-old has been superb in training

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England boss Gareth Southgate has waxed lyrical about Arsenal gem Emile Smith Rowe following his Three Lions call-up.

The 21-year-old is one of the best players to graduate from the Hale End setup in recent years.

Alongside Bukayo Saka, Smith Rowe has cemented his place in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.

He had to bide his time at the Emirates Stadium, with just two Premier League appearances prior to last Christmas.

However, Arteta finally named him in the starting XI against Chelsea on Boxing Day – his full Premier League debut – and the rest is history.

Ten months on, and Smith Rowe has 58 competitive senior appearances for Arsenal to his name, plus two England Under-21 caps.

And this week, Southgate called Smith Rowe up to the Three Lions senior squad after the withdrawals of Marcus Rashford and James Ward-Prowse.

The England manager has suggested that the Arsenal playmaker is in with a good shout of making his senior debut against either Albania or San Marino.

“We have brought him here to be involved in the team, with a view to being involved in the two matches,” Southgate told BBC Sport (14:21).

“He has settled really well. He obviously knows a couple of his club team-mates, Phil [Foden] from when he was with the Under-17s, and this is a group that make young players, and new players, very welcome.

“His quality has been apparent in the way that he has trained, so he is ready. We have enjoyed having him with us this week already.”

England need a point from their next two World Cup qualifier to make sure of a spot at Qatar 2022.

The Three Lions face Albania at Wembley on Friday and then travel to San Marino on Monday.