Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit says he sees a lot of Paul Gascoigne in Gunners star Emile Smith Rowe.

It’s a strange comparison to make considering Gazza’s association with Spurs but, when naming the players in the Gunners squad who Mike Arteta should build his team around, Petit said that Smith Rowe’s game has similarities to the England legend:

“I really like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe; the way Smith-Rowe plays really reminds me of Paul Gascoigne.”

Whether Smith Rowe will develop into a top-class player over the next few years may depend on whether he can stay injury-free. Shoulder and hip problems have meant he has only played 14 league games this season but, when he has started matches, he has consistently put in good performances.

The 20-year-old has returned to full training this week, after missing the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at the weekend, and he will undoubtedly have some role to play tomorrow night when Arsenal face Slavia Prague in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.