Gunners’ new boy wonder

EMILE SMITH ROWE scored a wonder goal to mark his arrival at Arsenal – then claimed it was better than winning the World Cup.

The Croydon boy was part of the England Under-17 squad which triumphed in India last October.

But he reckoned his Singapore Sling-shot past Atletico Madrid substitute keeper Antonio Adan was an even better feeling.

Smith Rowe skipped away from two challenges before unleashing a cracking effort from the edge of the box, cancelling out Luciano Vietto’s header.

“It has to top that,” said the elated teen of his World Cup win. “My first goal for Arsenal.”

Smith Rowe turns 18 tomorrow and while he insists he hasn’t made any plans to celebrate, you can bet his family and friends will be lining up the drinks when he gets home on Sunday.

He added: “It’s definitely an early present, it’s just a dream come true. I still can’t believe it has happened.

“I came on tour thinking I wanted to impress the manager and do as well as I can.

“But to get a goal like that is so surreal. It’s crazy, I can’t really explain it. My head’s all over the place.

“I only found out the day before the squad left that I was coming with them.

“We had a training session on the Saturday and the kit man came up to me straight after and said, ‘Here’s your suitcase, you’re travelling’.

“Since that day I’ve been so happy and have enjoyed every moment.” Smith Rowe joined Arsenal’s Under-10s and turned professional when he reached 17.

He is adamant he doesn’t want to go out on loan next season and will fight for as many minutes as possible with the Gunners.

Smith Rowe said: “My long-term goal is to get in the first team permanently, but this season it’s to try to get as many minutes as I can in the Europa League and cups, and hopefully make my Premier League debut.”

But he insists his new-found stardom won’t go to his head.

He added: “I like to keep my feet on the ground and keep my head down and work hard.

“If I carry on doing that, I don’t think the attention will get to me. I just have to keep working hard.”

Gunners boss Unai Emery said: “He has grown up in the academy and we need to give young players the chance to work for us and play matches like today.”