Gary Neville has raved about Arsenal attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe on Sky Sports Premier League (10:50pm, August 13, 2021), and has said that the Gunners simply could not have sold him to Aston Villa.
The former Manchester United star made the comments following Smith Rowe’s performance for Arsenal in their 2-0 defeat to Brentford in the Premier League last night.
Neville believes that the 21-year-old played well for the Gunners.
The London Evening Standard reported last month that Villa were so keen on signing the Englishman this summer that they made two bids for him.
Both were rejected by Arsenal, who eventually gave him a new contract.
Neville said about Smith Rowe on Sky Sports Premier League (10:50pm, August 13, 2021): “There was talk of him going to Aston Villa at one point this summer. They can’t let him go. His energy, his quality, was absolutely fantastic.
“That link up with Tierney down the left. He was a shining light for Arsenal who you talk about wanting the ball. He was one of the positives for Arsenal tonight.”
Big player for Arsenal
It was not just Neville who was impressed by Smith Rowe’s performance last night.
Fellow Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher also praised the 21-year-old.
Smith Rowe took two shots and one was on target, played two key passes, had a pass accuracy of 98%, won one header, attempted two dribbles, and put in two crosses.
The youngster is a very creative player who is dynamic and mobile, and despite being just 21, he will play a big role for Arsenal this season and beyond.
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