BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand has compared Emile Smith Rowe to two former Arsenal players. The attacking midfielder has had an excellent start to the season, and Ferdinand says the 21-year-old reminds him of both Alexander Hleb and Robert Pires:

“There’s nobody doing more right now than Emile Smith Rowe. He reminds me, with more end product it seems right now and I think he’ll go onto levels, his style is a little bit Hleb. He plays low, socks similar, the way he moves and manipulates the ball, can keep people off balance all game. He’s got a bit of Hleb about him! He’s got a Robert Pires vibe a little bit.”

You can certainly see similarities in how Smith Rowe carries the ball into the final third and provides a goal threat, although the Englishman has more speed and can operate in more positions than either Hleb or Pires.

Smith Rowe has been handed a place in England’s senior squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino and, if he does get his first cap, it will be more than warranted.

Hopefully, he returns from international duty unscathed ahead of the massive game that is coming up against Liverpool on Saturday week. Considering he has scored in his last three league matches, fans will be hoping he can make it four in a row at Anfield.