Ray Parlour says Arsenal’s Emile Smith-Rowe can be ‘one hell of a player’

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Former Arsenal midfielder, Ray Parlour, believes the Gunners have a superstar in the making in the form of youngster, Emile Smith-Rowe.

The Arsenal starlet has burst onto the scene this term following a successful loan spell with Huddersfield. The outcasting of Mesut Ozil, in addition to the Gunners struggling for creativity, offered Smith-Rowe the opportunity to stake his claim.

And he has done well since being given his chance. Smith-Rowe has hit five goals across all competitions, although he has yet to score in the Premier League despite laying on four assists in the competition in his 12 league appearances.

Parlour, then, who was speaking to Talksport today, believes Arsenal have a player on their hands with Smith-Rowe.

“He’s done nothing wrong since he had his opportunity. He gets on the ball, he has energy. All he has to do is try and score a few more goals and if he can do that, he can be a hell of a player,” Parlour said.

“His awareness is superb, always on the half-turn. Look at the West Brom goal, the awareness of who was around him was brilliant.”

The signing of Martin Odegaard has added further competition to the ranks for Smith-Rowe to compete with. Indeed, the last two fixtures have seen him come off the bench, rather than start.

However, as Parlour mentions, Smith-Rowe’s versatility and ability with the ball should ensure a long and successful career with Arsenal.

TBR View: Smith-Rowe has been a bright spark for Arsenal in a dismal season at times

The Gunners have been so inconsistent this season but the emergence of young talent like Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka has been a real plus point for the club.

Smith-Rowe has all the tools, as Parlour points out. As a number ten, he seems to play the role well. But going forward, he will need to add those goals as Parlour touches on. If he does that, then he’ll stay right with the top clubs for most of his career, barring a catastrophe.