Liverpool legend John Barnes says Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe has 'done nothing' yet.
Smith Rowe has come in for plenty of praise from his performances in recent weeks, starting four consecutive league games for Arsenal and assisting twice, as well as scoring in the FA Cup win over Newcastle United.
The 20-year-old has been central to the Gunners' resurgence with Mikel Arteta's men climbing the table following a poor start with three wins and a draw in their last four league games.
But while Arsenal fans are getting very excited about the young midfielder, Liverpool great Barnes has warned excitement should be reined in and that talk of a new contract could be premature.
“Well first of all, he [Emile Smith-Rowe] is not going anywhere.," he told Bonus Code Bets.
"It’s not as if, if you don’t give him a contract, he’s going to get a transfer to a bigger club than Arsenal. That’s not going to happen.
"[Giving him a new contract] is not necessarily a priority but you want to reward people who have done well, but he’s going to be at Arsenal regardless of whether he’s tied to a new deal or not.
"You also have to be very careful in how you handle him but I’m not saying he’s anything like Mesut Özil when it comes to signing a new contract. "
Highlighting what Smith Rowe should be focusing on, Barnes added: "What’s important for him is that he learns his trade and performs consistently.
"Once he’s shown that, then that is the time to talk about new contracts.
"Because he’s really done nothing – he’s had three or four good games. You don’t get a new contract off the back of that.”
