Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has been in fine form at the under-21 European Championships, bagging his second goal of the tournament yesterday.
The Gunners star struggled with his fitness last term and fell out of favour as Mikel Arteta’s side challenged for the Premier League title.
Smith Rowe has returned to full fitness in recent weeks and is currently enjoying his time with the England under-21 side.
The 22-year-old came off the bench to grab the second goal in the 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic last Thursday.
The Arsenal academy graduate started against Israel on Sunday and rewarded manager Lee Carsley’s faith in him with another goal.
Smith Rowe had an opener disallowed three minutes into the game for offside, but he doubled England’s lead midway through the second half.
The Gunners ace unleashed a right-footed blast that fizzed into the bottom corner, and former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette was impressed with the technique.
The Frenchman took to his Instagram stories to comment on the goal.
It was Smith Rowe’s fifth goal at under-21 level, and it helped Carsley’s side book a place in the quarter-finals.
They have finished their group as leaders and will face Germany in their last game in Group C on Wednesday.
They will face the runners-up from Group A in the quarter-final, which could be the Netherlands, Belgium, Georgia or Nuno Tavares’ Portugal.
Smith Rowe will be keen to impress in the knockout stages and help the under-21s win the competition.
The Arsenal midfielder is the only player in the squad with a senior cap, and he will be looking to play his way into Gareth Southgate’s squad ahead of next year’s European Championship.
Smith Rowe will have to force his way back into Arteta’s first-team plans to boost his chances with the national side.
He has been in fine form in recent days and will be eager to hit the ground running when the new season starts.
