Emile Smith Rowe was a only split second away from scoring one of the best goals we have ever witnessed at Emirates Stadium.
Collecting the ball just inside his own half, the Under-17 World Cup winner accelerated away from one player and tricked past two more before he was brought down by the fourth Blackpool defender as he broke into the box.
Smith Rowe would slot home the resulting penalty, our fourth in a comprehensive 5-0 win over the Tangerines, but would have much rather had finished off his mazy run.
“I was gutted that I got brought down,” he told Arsenal.com. “I just wanted to score. I’m so happy for the team though that we could get through. I just got the ball, saw space and then started to run through. Luckily I got the penalty and I was able to score, so I’m very happy.
“From the penalty, I was going to go the other way. I was quite nervous because I thought he was going to get it, but we do practice them a lot in training. I’m dedicating that one to my nan because it’s such a memorable goal for me to score.
“It’s just great to be back on the pitch after I tore ligaments in my ankle,” Smith Rowe added. “I’m just very happy to be out there and playing. It’s a great pitch and hopefully I can get more opportunities, then one day play here with the first team. It would be great.
“The lads have worked so hard and to get to the final is a massive achievement for the club. We’re just really happy to get to the final and hopefully we can do ourselves justice when we play Chelsea.”
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