Arsenal got a bit of revenge on Southampton last night.
Last weekend, the Saints beat Mikel Arteta’s side at St Mary’s to send them crashing out of the FA Cup.
But Arsenal returned to the same stadium on Tuesday and left with a brilliant 3-1 victory and one that lifted them to eighth in the Premier League table.
The goals came from Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Alexandre Lacazette but Emile Smith Rowe was once again perhaps the unsung hero of the Gunners’ night.
The 20-year-old played a number of sublime cushioned passes and linked the play ever so well from a number 10 role that he’s really making his own, amid speculation about Martin Odegaard coming in.
And Ferdinand believes that the youngster laid the foundations for this victory, whilst adding that he can see Smith Rowe playing in this Arsenal team for years to come.
Ferdinand told BT Sport: “I think the way they played, the foundations of that performance, was from the hard work, the press high up the pitch. I think the instigator of that was Smith Rowe. He’s been brought in, a young graduate from the academy, and that was foundation that set everything up.
“He’s one player who makes others look better with the way he plays. He’s someone who I feel will be a mainstay in this team for years to come.”
Arsenal are going to sign Odegaard regardless it seems like, but this really was a statement from the club’s academy gem.
Smith Rowe isn’t giving up his jersey without a fight and if the Real Madrid playmaker does come in, he’s going to have to earn the shirt.
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