Arsenal teenager Emile Smith Rowe made his full Premier League debut this afternoon but that didn’t spare him from unforgiving reviews from a number of Gunners fans on Twitter.
The 18-year-old, who came in for Mesut Ozil, was given his first Premier League start in today’s 0-0 draw away to Everton, having debuted in the competition as a substitute in the defeat to Manchester City last week.
The attacking midfielder, who was substituted for Joe Willock on 66 minutes, did not manage any shots at Goodison Park and his total of 33 touches was the second fewest of Arsenal’s outfield starters (as per WhoScored).
At one stage he passed up what seemed an ideal opportunity to shoot when better placed than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with Football London writer James Benge saying: “There were moments when you wanted him to assert himself”.
Josh Sippie of paininthearsenal.com felt that Smith Rowe was “undoubtedly nervous” on his first Premier League start, adding that he “didn’t touch the ball much, but when he did, it was heavy and sloppy” – he was guilty of poor ball control on three occasions against Everton and misplaced four of his 22 passes (as per WhoScored).
These Arsenal fans on Twitter were far from impressed with the teenager’s full league debut:
Man were blowing Smith Rowe n dissing willock but willock has far more impact then him lol
— Akh (@RilwanLucas) December 21, 2019
Smith Rowe has been very unimpressive, doesnt look ready.
Also our fullbacks havent been overlapping whatsoever, makes us so much easier to defend— Dylan (@AFCDylan_) December 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/TikiTakaConnor/status/1208377334266511360
https://twitter.com/ItzArsenal420/status/1208382676840919047
https://twitter.com/rgclarke92/status/1208382430081699840
https://twitter.com/PaulWhitworth_/status/1208382094088519680
Emile Smith-Rowe is having an absolute stinker
— Moh (@mohammadscek) December 21, 2019
Smith Rowe has offered literally nothing, looks lost
— GR (@GeorgeRobbins10) December 21, 2019
