Arsenal prodigy Emile Smith Rowe has been nothing short of sensational since breaking into the first-team squad late last year, to the point that Gunners fans are now comparing him to Paul Merson in his prime.
The 20-year-old was already in and around the first team last season, making six appearances in 2019-20, but he’s had to bide his time for a proper breakthrough.
Smith Rowe enjoyed a successful loan spell at Huddersfield in the second half of last season, prompting Mikel Arteta to keep him at the club this term with a view to easing him into the first team.
A couple of Europa League and cup appearances followed, before his big moment came after Christmas, Arteta turning to him and other Hale End gems against Chelsea in a bid to stop the rot.
And stop the rot it did, with Arsenal now unbeaten in six, having won five and drawn one in all competitions, and Smith Rowe playing a huge role in the Gunners’ revival.
To be compared to Merson is a huge compliment, given just how great he was for Arsenal, a creative genius with flair, intelligence, vision and a great touch.
And this is just what some Gunners fans did after seeing him in action against Newcastle:
