The new De Bruyne? Emile Smith Rowe reacts to KDB comparisons

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 1 min read

Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe says that manager Mikel Arteta’s previous work with Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne is helping him develop as a player.

Having spent last season on loan at Huddersfield, Smith Rowe has played a key role in Arsenal’s recent upturn in form in the Premier League – starting five games in the last month.

The 20-year-old is highly rated at the club and has been labelled by both team-mates and fans as the ‘Croydon De Bruyne’.

Smith Rowe says that working with Arteta, who was assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Man City before taking over as Arsenal manager, is really helping him realise his potential.

“I feel like he’s [Arteta] helped me with my awareness, my positioning and where to be before. receiving the ball. I feel like in that aspect he’s helped me so much,” Smith Rowe told Stadium Astro.

“He’s obviously worked with De Bruyne so when I’m getting advice from the manager who knows so much, I can’t say no.

“I’m obviously grateful for what he’s telling me and how he’s helping me.

“It’s been crazy, playing for the club that I’ve dreamt of playing for all my life, I can’t really explain how much it means to me. I’m really happy to be playing at the moment.”

There have been concerns in recent days that the likely signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid could hamper Smith Rowe’s progress, although Arteta himself has shot down this suggestion.