Ian Wright was in awe of Emile Smith-Rowe, Cedric Soares, Thomas Partey and Bukayo Saka on Premier League Productions as Arsenal recorded a 3-0 win against Newcastle on Monday night.
After a pretty drab and goalless first half, Arsenal came to life five minutes after the restart when Thomas Partey’s pin-point ball over the top found an on-rushing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who fired home.
It was then party mode for the Arsenal players because the youngsters were then at it when Smith-Rowe fed Saka to make it 2-0, before the previously goal-shy Aubameyang turned into a London bus and after his first strike his second came not long after.
After the match, Wright was full of praise for the Arsenal players, especially as certain Smith-Rowe.
“He’s somebody they have had high hopes for,” said Wright. “He’s had a couple of injuries and gone out on loan a couple of times. They know what he’s capable of.
“When you look at him in the academy and the first team, apart from Ozil, they are not many players who play in that hole like he does. On the half-turn, with a lot more energy and pace than anybody else. Maybe even Ozil when he’s in there.
“He’s all over the place. He’s got a lovely touch – since he has come in now with the injuries and his loan. He has realised that this is where I am meant to be. I am ready. He has taken [his chance], at the moment.
“When you are playing against an Arsenal side, in the current form, with the energy of Saka and Smith-Rowe. And I have to say Cedric at right-back was brilliant. Partey was magnificent.”
After months and months of abject performances, Arsenal are finally performing like a team with life and ambition in them.
Smith-Rowe has been a breath of fresh air for the club and his forward-thinking energy off the ball and expert ball-carrying ability is what the fans have been crying out for.
Now it’s a case of being patient with these players because, as was proven against Crystal Palace last time out, they will have their off-moments and then their moments of magic.
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