Since making his first start for Arsenal in their Boxing Day clash against Chelsea, Emile Smith Rowe has created ten chances for his teammates in the club's last five games against Brighton, West Brom, Newcastle [x2] and Crystal Palace.
Mikel Arteta's side have won four of those last five games, with Smith Rowe contributing massively to the team's good form. In fact, only Bruno Fernandes has created more chances from open play than the 20-year-old midfielder since December 26.
The 'Croydon De Bruyne', as many have nicknamed him of late, was once again influential in Arsenal's win against struggling Newcastle on Monday night, helping himself to another assist for fellow youngster Bukayo Saka during the 3-0 home victory.
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After the final whistle, Smith Rowe was told in his post-match interview that United midfielder Bruno Fernandes is the only player to have created more chance since he come into Mikel Arteta's first team plans - and his reaction to the news was brilliant.
"I look up to Bruno Fernandes as a player. His stats are crazy!" Smith Rowe told Sky Sports.
"We enjoyed that so much, we're coming together as a team so we're really happy with the win and the three points. Everyone's getting fit and we're all getting together on the training pitch. Just the whole group is so much stronger and I think it's showing on the pitch."
It was another superb performance from Smith Rowe on Monday night and after the game, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville paid him the ultimate compliment by suggesting he 'could play in the old Arsenal teams' from Arsene Wenger's glory years.
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In fact, Neville likened the 20-year-old to Robert Pires in his analysis.
"You watch Emile Smith Rowe play. You watch a lot of young players play particularly in the attacking area and they're frantic," Neville said on Monday Night Football, "Their choices are usually a bit erratic, they don't normally get it right.
"He runs with the ball, he moves with the ball, he glides with the ball and he's always at a point whereby you feel he can release it."
Neville continued, saying: "The real best players travel with the ball but they are always in the position where they can release it. He's connected, he's switched on, he's clever.
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"They've had brilliant players, the likes of Pires, intelligent players who could run with the ball. He could play in the old Arsenal teams with the way he plays and he's only six games in...six games is unbelievable.
"It's really impressive and Arsenal fans have got a group of young players there they can hang their hats on and start to like and build something around."
Featured Image Credit: PA/Sky SportsTopics: Bruno Fernandes, Football News, Football, Premier League, Arsenal
