Emile Smith Rowe (born 28 July 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Arsenal. Smith Rowe is known for his creativity and technical quality, with an eye for goal. Arsenal’s former head of academy recruitment, Steve Morrow, described Smith Rowe to be “very direct, always looked forward, had a lovely touch, very clever in possession. He was always full of energy and work rate, and come alive on the ball.”
Early Life and Career
Smith Rowe originates from Thornton Heath in the south London borough of Croydon. His father is Leslie Rowe, once a semi-professional football player, and his mother is Fiona Rowe. He relocated to north London with his parents and brother when he was signed by Arsenal in 2010. His cousin, Dean Smith Rowe, is a semi-professional footballer for Genk FC.
Smith Rowe signed a new long-term professional contract with Arsenal on 31 July 2018, when he was described by head coach Unai Emery as having “lots of potential”. The length of the contract was not disclosed by Arsenal, but it was reported to be a five-year deal.
Smith Rowe made his Arsenal first-team competitive debut on 20 September 2018 against Vorskla Poltava in the UEFA Europa League, coming on as a second-half substitute for Alex Iwobi. His appearance was the first Arsenal professional debut by a player born in the 2000s. He scored after starting the following Europa League match against Qarabağ in a 3–0 victory for Arsenal, becoming the youngest Arsenal goalscorer in a competitive match since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2011, and the first player born after 2000 to score for the London club. He scored his first goal at the Emirates in a 2–1 victory over Blackpool in the Fourth Round of the EFL Cup.
On 31 January 2019, he joined RB Leipzig on loan until the end of the 2018–19 season. After signing the loan deal RB Leipzig discovered Smith Rowe was not fully recovered from a groin injury.
On 10 January 2020, Smith Rowe joined EFL Championship side Huddersfield Town on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season. Huddersfield manager Danny Cowley responded to supporters’ wishes for Smith Rowe to play more minutes by stating: “We have to be very protective of him which none of us like. I actually boo myself when I take him off, because it’s not something I want to do.
On 29 August 2020, Smith Rowe was named an unused substitute in the 2020 FA Community Shield, which Arsenal clinched a 5–4 victory over Liverpool in the penalty shootout after the match was 1–1 after 90 minutes. Following his return to Arsenal in 2020, Smith Rowe struggled with injuries before returning to fitness in the autumn. Although he performed well in Arsenal’s Europa League group fixtures, scoring or assisting in each of his matches, he did not start any of Arsenal’s matches in the Premier League in October or November. Following Arsenal’s worst league start in decades, manager Mikel Arteta entrusted Smith Rowe with the number 10 role, replacing Willian, on Boxing Day against London rivals Chelsea, helping to inspire a 3–1 home win to end the club’s poor run of form. In his next 5 games, Emile Smith-Rowe recorded 3 assists and scored a goal in a FA Cup 2–0 win against Newcastle United. Due to his excellent performances, Smith Rowe was voted as the runner-up of the Player of the Month in January on Arsenal official website. On 14 March 2021, Smith Rowe played in the North London derby for the first time and delivered a Man of the Match performance in a 2–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. On 9 May 2021, Smith Rowe scored his first Premier League goal in a 3–1 home win over West Bromwich Albion. On 12 May 2021, Smith Rowe scored the only goal in a 1–0 away win over Chelsea, sealing the Gunners’ first win at Stamford Bridge in nearly 10 years and Arsenal’s first league double over the Blues since 2004.
On the 22nd July 2021, Smith Rowe ended months of speculation by signing a long-term deal with the club, reported to be a five-year contract. He was also handed the number 10 shirt for the new season, previously vacated by Mesut Özil.
International
Smith Rowe has been capped by England at U16, U17, U18 and U19 level whilst progressing through the ranks at Arsenal’s Hale End academy.
On 15 March 2021, Smith Rowe received his first England U21 call up as part of the Young Lions squad for the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He made his debut in the opening game of the tournament, a 1–0 loss to Switzerland on 25 March 2021.
Parents and Family
In one of his interviews, Smith Rowe revealed he is very close to his family. He talked about how much he appreciated the sacrifice his family made for him growing up, and his dad is his biggest inspiration. . He has encouraging parents, Fiona Rowe and Leslie Rowe.
Wife/Girlfriend
As of 2021, Smith Rowe is currently single and not married.
Net Worth and Salary
Emile Smith Rowe signed a 5 year / £5,200,000 contract with the Arsenal F.C., including an annual average salary of £1,040,000. In 2021, Smith Rowe will earn a base salary of £1,040,000, while carrying a cap hit of £1,040,000.
Emile Smith Rowe’s net worth as of 2021 is estimated at around $1.2 million (net worth estimated in 2021).
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