Emile Smith Rowe has given his answer to the age-old question every Arsenal fan asks themselves from time to time: who was better, Dennis Bergkamp or Thierry Henry?
The 21-year-old was given an opportunity to make his Gunners breakthrough in December of last year, and since then, he has continued to improve.
He is a key part of Mikel Arteta ’s long-term project at the Emirates, which is why he was entrusted with the famous No. 10 shirt donned by Bergkamp for so many years.
Smith Rowe has even been likened to the legendary Dutchman by another Arsenal icon in Tony Adams prior to the Gunners’ victory in the north London derby on Sunday – a game in which the midfielder opened the scoring after slotting home a pass from fellow Hale End graduate, Bukayo Saka.
Wearing the No. 10 shirt at a club like Arsenal at such a young age obviously invites pressure, but the young Gunner is honoured to put it on every time he plays.
Speaking to Michael Timbs at BBC MOTDX, he said: “It means the world man.
“I’ve walked into the changing room a couple of times now and seen it on the wall and putting it on is a bit crazy but it’s the best feeling in the world.”
The Arsenal creative was then asked who he would choose between Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and jokingly, Gunnersaurus, where he admitted that he likes to base his game off Bergkamp.
“[Laughs] I haven’t actually seen Gunnersaurus play, I’m going to have to leave him out of this one. Obviously, he is a really nice dinosaur.
“I probably base my game more off Dennis Bergkamp, but I can’t leave Thierry [Henry] there.
“I’m putting them together.”
Smith Rowe has been incredibly impressive so far and Arsenal fans will be hoping that he can maybe one day reach legendary status in his own right with his boyhood club.
