Rob Holding says Arsenal have a top talent who just 'floats' with the ball

Arsenal defender Rob Holding has lauded Gunners teammate Emile Smith Rowe, saying he “just floats” with the ball.

Holding and Arsenal teammate Aaron Ramsdale took on the latest FIFA vs Challenge on the Sky Sports website.

Both were asked which Arsenal first-team player they thought increased the most in rating between FIFA 21 and 22.

They answered Bukayo Saka, who was second, and at the second attempt, correctly guessed Smith Rowe.

“What a player,” said Holding.

“The way he moves the ball is just so nice to watch. He’s so easy on the eye, he just floats!”

Holding and Ramsdale have also backed Smith Rowe to earn a spot in the England squad for the World Cup this year.

“There’s no reason why not,” said the Arsenal defender.

Smith Rowe is one of the best players to graduate from the Hale End setup in recent years.

Alongside 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 Christmas 2020.

However, Arteta finally named him in the starting XI against Chelsea on Boxing Day.

That was his full Premier League debut, and the rest is history.

Now, Smith Rowe has 70 Arsenal first-team appearances to his name, with 17 goals and 9 assists under his belt.

The 21-year-old has also broken into the England senior team, with two caps and one goal to his name.

Smith Rowe for Qatar 2022? Why not indeed.

“He’s a really important player”

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Leicester, Arteta tipped Smith Rowe to be back in the squad.

“He went through Covid but he’s feeling good now and he’s had a couple of training sessions,” Arteta told the Gunners website.

“Hopefully he can get the rhythm and the consistency and stay out of missing games because he’s a really important player for us and we need him.”