Mikel Arteta has admitted Gareth Southgate caught him by surprise when he called Arsenal talent Emile Smith Rowe into the England squad as a late replacement, via football.london.
Southgate had initially overlooked Smith Rowe for the Three Lions’ final games of the year. Instead, the 21-year-old was due to link up with Lee Carsley’s U21s for their Euro qualifiers.
But after Marcus Rashford, James Ward-Prowse, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw withdrew, Southgate turned to Smith Rowe. Handing him his first senior call-up for England duty.
Southgate rewarded Smith Rowe’s great Arsenal form with an England call-up for the Three Lions’ final World Cup qualifiers. He has featured in all 11 of the Gunners’ Premier League fixtures so far this season, starting 10, and has scored in their last three in the competition.
Arteta noted after Arsenal’s most recent league match against Watford that Smith Rowe’s England debut would come after being overlooked. So, when Southgate then called him up a few days later as a replacement, the decision somewhat shocked the Spaniard.
“First of all, I was surprised because it happened just after the game,” Arteta said. “But I am extremely happy for him.
“I know the expectations that he had, there was a lot of talk around it and he really enjoyed it. I saw him yesterday and he was delighted to score a goal for his country.
“It’s always something special. He made us proud. Not only for him, but to see as well Bukayo [Saka] and Aaron [Ramsdale] starting for the national team. I think it’s a great sign for the club.”
Arsenal talent Smith Rowe made instant England impression
Smith Rowe carried his excellent Arsenal form onto the international stage by scoring on his first England start. He had also provided an assist in San Marino, feeding Harry Kane.
Fellow Arsenal stars Saka and Ramsdale also started England’s final World Cup qualifier in San Marino. The last time the Gunners had three current players open a Three Lions match was November 2014, with Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck.
Arteta and Smith Rowe will surely now hope his England debut sees his Arsenal form reach an even higher level. With the north Londoners travelling to Liverpool on Saturday with a chance to overtake the Reds into fourth-place in the Premier League table.
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