Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has told the club’s official website that he was scared when he was handed a red card during Mikel Arteta’s side’s clash with Newcastle United.
Smith Rowe lunged into a tackle with Sean Longstaff and the challenge was initially deemed worthy a red by referee Chris Kavanagh.
Thankfully for the Arsenal playmaker VAR was in operation, and after review the challenge was deemed only to be worthy of a yellow card.
Smith Rowe then went on to play a starring role as Arsenal made it through in the competition.
The youngster scored the Gunners’ first goal of the night in their 2-0 success.
But the 20-year-old admitted that he was terrified on the pitch, when the red card was brandished towards him.
“I was very scared at the time,” he said. “I’ve never been in this position before and I’ve never been sent off before so I couldn’t believe it. It definitely wasn’t intentional, so I’m just happy I didn’t get sent off and was able to come on.”
If Smith Rowe had been sent off it would have been a major blow to him, as his importance to Arsenal’s team continues to increase.
But, in the end, Smith Rowe only went on to further establish his place as part of Arsenal’s best line-up.
His quality got Arsenal over the line in what was a game of few chances.
And Arteta will surely continue to start the England youth international in future weeks, with Arsenal’s next game coming against Crystal Palace on Thursday.
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