Rio Ferdinand has likened Emile Smith Rowe to Arsenal legends Alexander Hleb and Robert Pires.
The Gunners' new no.10 is enjoying an electric run of form at the moment and his performances have earned him a late call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad after Marcus Rashford, James Ward-Prowse, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw did not report for international duty.
Smith Rowe has found the net in each of his last three Premier League games, a run that included the winning goal against Watford on Sunday as Mikel Arteta's side made it 10 games unbeaten in all competitions.
He has earned high praise from a number of people across the game, including Ferdinand, who waxed lyrical about the young Englishman on his Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel.
"There’s a team, there’s a united team. There’s a togetherness that I haven’t seen at Arsenal for a long time," Ferdinand said while reflecting on Arsenal’s impressive ten-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.
"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 [Alexander] 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."
Having previously admitted that he'd like to stay at the club 'forever', Smith Rowe will be looking to emulate Pires' success in an Arsenal shirt.
And considering he's already got the adoration from the fans, he may well reach that level one day in the future.
