Arsenal's rising star Emile Smith Rowe studying Chelsea legend Frank Lampard in bid to impress Unai Emery

Arsenal FC via Getty Images
James Olley6 October 2018

Emile Smith Rowe has revealed he is studying videos of former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard as he bids to follow in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho and Mason Mount by becoming the next young prodigy to earn a senior England call-up.

The 18-year-old marked his maiden European start for Arsenal by scoring his first senior goal in between Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Matteo Guendouzi also breaking their ducks for the Gunners in a 3-0 victory over Qarabag.

Just hours after Gareth Southgate named six uncapped players in his squad, including teenage duo Sancho of Borussia Dortmund and Mount, on loan at Derby from Chelsea, Smith Rowe was one of Arsenal’s most impressive performers here in only his third competitive appearance.

“It is a great achievement for those two,” said Smith Rowe, who has represented England at Under-16, U-17 and U-18 levels.

EPA

“It is definitely something I am trying to do in the future and England is a great way to express your ability. They definitely try to give youngsters a chance.

“The England youngsters are a very talented bunch and I think in the future there will be a lot of them going through to the first team.

"Hopefully, one day, I can be part of the team. [Gunners head coach Unai Emery] told me to get into the box more and in training I am trying to work on my finishing, working hard.

“Lampard scored a lot of goals, so I’m watching his clips, I like watching clips of a lot of players. So, when I am just chilling at home, I watch clips of players.”

In Pictures | Frank Lampard

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Southgate’s threshold for selecting young players may be low in terms of playing time at the highest level, but Smith Rowe is yet to play a single minute in the Premier League and, in a further indication of the distance he has to travel, is yet to be allowed access to Arsenal’s first-team dressing room.

The club’s London Colney training base is divided, with the first team area separated from the youth groups by a long corridor which is considered a rite of passage. Recent players to make the walk include Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Alex Iwobi.

Smith Rowe first played for the academy at nine before joining the set-up a year later. His goal last night meant he became the first player born since the turn of the millennium to score for Arsenal and hopes he will soon be next to make the leap.

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“I haven’t properly seen the [first-team] changing room,” he said. “It’s not far away but we don’t go around there, we are not allowed in that building. I change separately, find out [I’m training with the first team], run over and train.

“Every player has told me I’ve got so much ability and just to keep focused and keep working hard. To get that off world class players is just unbelievable. When I come to games, I look around and can’t believe I’m here. It’s surreal.”

In Pictures | Qarabag vs Arsenal | 04/10/18

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There was speculation at the start of the campaign that Smith Rowe could leave on loan, with several Championship clubs expressing an interest, in addition to a couple of overseas options, but Emery is believed to have personally vetoed any move.

Smith Rowe now believes he is in a position to warrant more regular action at Emirates Stadium.

AFP/Getty Images/Ian Kington

“It was a chance I took [not to leave] and I am happy I have taken it because now he [Emery] is really happy with me, he helps me a lot and to get the chances I am getting now is crazy,” he said. “I think he is a great manager. There’s no other place I’d rather be.

“I haven’t really set targets. For me, it is just training every day, working hard and, if I get my chance in the Premier League one day, that would be unbelievable. At the moment, I am just try to make my way with games in the cups. Hopefully, one day, I can make my [full] Premier League debut.”

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