Things are going pretty well for Emile Smith Rowe right now.
Having shone on our pre-season tour of Singapore, scoring a superb goal against Atletico Madrid and assisting Alexandre Lacazette against PSG, the teenager returned to London Colney and signed a new contract with us on Tuesday.
After putting pen to paper, Smith Rowe spoke to us about his new deal, how he’s adjusting to being around the first team and what his team-mates told him after his goal in Singapore.
on how it feels to sign his new deal…
To be honest it feels great for me. It’s something I’ve always dreamt of since I was young, so to sign a new contract with Arsenal… I’m just so happy and it feels surreal at the moment.
on the main reasons for him extending…
Knowing how Arsenal play and knowing the background of the club is something I really look up to. The new head coach really inspires me so hopefully I can get chances in the first team to prove how good I am.
on playing alongside players he grow up watching…
It’s so crazy! Training with the players that Arsenal have is a dream for me, something that I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid. To get the opportunity to train and play with them on tour was just an unbelievable feeling for me.
on adjusting to being around the first-team group…
I just feel so much more comfortable. The players are so welcoming. No one’s tried to leave me out of the group or anything, so when I’m at Arsenal, it feels like a family. Everyone’s just so together and I think that’s helped me so much on and off the pitch.
on how things have changed for him since pre-season tour…
My phone’s been going off so much since that happened! Since I got back, I’ve had so many good messages from fans and the support has just been crazy. I’m just so happy at the moment. It was my birthday recently so for me it’s just been a crazy week in general.
on how the players reacted to his Atletico Madrid goal…
Everyone was just so happy. Everyone was showing my surname, they kept shouting it at me. It was a great feeling for me and I’m still so happy - I can’t stop smiling!
on what his family said to him…
When I got back to the hotel, I got my phone and the messages they were sending me said they were so proud of me. It gave me that belief that it’s only just started and now I need to stay focused and keep my head down. I just need to listen to them as much as I can.
on aims for this season…
For this season I’m hoping to play for the under-23s but my main target is to get minutes in the first team, progress, play well and impress the boss so I can maybe get chances in the Premier League one day.
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