Rowe is growing EMILE’S ON RISE

ARSENAL legend Ray Parlour wants Emile Smith Rowe to keep knocking on Gareth Southgate’s door.

The Gunners starlet, 20, is enjoying an impressive breakthrough campaign at The Emirates.

And having grown up in the south London suburbs, he has been nicknamed the ‘Croydon De Bruyne’ by fans.

Smith Rowe made his England Under-21s debut in a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Switzerland on Thursday.

But Parlour – who was affectionately called ‘the Romford Pele’ during his playing days – wants the rookie to push for a call-up to the senior squad.

“If he can get anywhere near Kevin De Bruyne he’s done well,” he said.

“Smith Rowe has a really good attitude and is a great guy. I saw him at 17 years old and I thought he’d be very decent, but he struggled with a few injuries.

“His issue with England is the competition for places. “There’s still James Maddison – not to mention Jack Grealish and Harvey Barnes before they picked up knocks. “Don’t forget you’ve also got Bukayo Saka!” Parlour was capped 10 times for the Three Lions.

And the former midfielder (above) says the pressure will be on Southgate to get England firing at the Euros given the talent they have. “England set the bar so high with the World Cup in 2018,” he added. “Everyone expects a semi-final this time round – and that’s where Southgate has got a problem.”

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SWISS MISS: Emile Smith Rowe during his England Under-21s debut