Emile must play game of patience
MIKEL ARTETA urged Emile Smith
Rowe to be patient after his latest England snub.
Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate said the Arsenal star had been very close to breaking into his squad for the World Cup qualifiers in September.
But while the 21-year-old has been in fine form since he has missed out on two further squads, including the one that will meet up tomorrow for the clashes with Albania on Friday and San Marino on Tuesday week.
That might seem unfortunate for a player who has been a catalyst for Arsenal’s good form, although Southgate has an abundance of quality attacking midfield options.
Either way, Gunners chief Arteta is not unduly concerned.
And he has told the player, who spent the 2019-20 campaign on loan with Huddersfield in the
Championship, he must up his game another notch again if he really wants to bang down the door.
Character
Arteta said: “He needs to show consistency and again increase his level. There are players who have played 300 games in this league and never played for the national team.
“We want everything to be so quick. Be patient. It’s the first year he’s having these consecutive performances and appearances, at a level where you are really considering that option.
“It doesn’t have to happen straightaway — sometimes that’s not good. He does have the character to take this message on board.
“He has shown through his career, in moments when he had to go a step sideways to now be in a position that he is in, he can do it.
“He did it in a really convincing way and a humble way.
“If he continues like that we know that he has the talent, he was the work ethic, he has the personality and the ability to do so.
“It will come.”
While Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka were included, Ben White has also missed out.
Arteta added: “The squad that the England national team is able to put together today is incredible.
“They are showing in every tournament the level that they have.
“Ben, no question, has the ability, the quality and now the performances to be there. In the end, Gareth has to make the decision and Ben has to continue exactly where he is.”