Chelsea youngster Conor Gallagher has named Emile Smith Rowe as his toughest opponent to date.
Like Smith Rowe, the 20-year-old currently finds himself on loan in the Championship although he is currently at Swansea City. He moved there after spending the first half of the season on loan at Charlton Athletic.
Smith Rowe on the other hand spent the first half of the season at Arsenal before moving on loan to Huddersfield Town in January.
In the 10 games he played for the Terriers, the 19-year-old was exceptional, creating 19 chances in total, claiming three assists and scoring his first ever league goal.
"In terms of reputation it would be Wayne Rooney," Gallagher told Swansea's official website when asked who the best player he'd faced was.
"But I remember in the FA Youth Cup Under-18s, Emile Smith Rowe gave me the runaround so that's a game that sticks out to me."
After returning to Arsenal injured from his loan spell at RB Leipzig last season, the youngster spent a lot of time back with Steve Bould's Under-23s.
With them, however, it was clear that he had surpassed this level of football. Often used in central areas, he would run games at will, breaking through the middle of the pitch to lay the ball onto the dangermen in the final third.
Once game's were won, he'd then start dropping deep to slow the tempo right down, starving the opposition of the ball. He simply had to get a move for first team football once Janaury came around.
Although his numbers will impress, it's his spatial awareness that sets him apart in the No.10. position. Rather than limiting himself to the pocket behind opposition midfielders, he drifts into the half-spaces to leave defenders second-guessing about whether to approach him or not.
Whenever the 2019/20 season ends, he will be ready to fight for a place upon returning to Arsenal again.
"At the end of the day the dream is to play for Arsenal. That's what I'll be working towards," he told football.london in an exclusive interview in March.
"Am I ready for the Premier League? I hope I am. After this loan hopefully I will be much more confident going back to Arsenal.
"I'd like to say I can go back and prove to everyone what I can do."
