Emile Smith Rowe receives first England call-up

There is always a debate about who is England’s international phenom in the midfield. Mason Mount, Phil Foden, etc., but now another name can be added to the mix. Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe was called up to England’s national squad for the first time in his young professional career. The 21-year-old was initially left off from Gareth Southgate’s selection, but Manchester United midfielder Marcus Rashford and Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse withdrew from their selections.

Smith Rowe has been a pivotal piece for Arsenal this season. The young attacking midfielder has scored four goals along with bagging two assists. Three of those goals have come in his last three league matches, including the match-winner against Watford this past weekend. He has helped Arsenal achieve a 5th place position in the League table, with a crucial match at Anfield against Liverpool on Nov 20.

When talking about what’s changed this season with Arsenal compared to ones in the past, he said, “I didn’t used to eat that well,” he says. “I wasn’t drinking that well. Before games, I wasn’t really that hydrated. I’ve tried now to focus so much on it…Arsenal are strict but I didn’t really listen, to be honest. I think that’s where I went wrong. Now I’m listening all the time,” (Hynter of the Guardian).

Smith Rowe will look to keep his momentum as England faces Albania on Friday and San Marino on Nov 15. It is unclear if he will feature in those matches, but Smith Rowe has joined his club teammates Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale to earn a national team call-up. All three players will report back to Arsenal after the international break to take on Liverpool on Nov 20.