Emile Smith Rowe has impressed for Arsenal this term, but he is now revelling in getting the chance to train and play alongside a Tottenham star.
Smith Rowe – who is Arsenal s joint-top scorer in the Premier League this season with four goals – was initially left out of Gareth Southgate s England squad for this month s World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.
However, the withdrawals of James Ward-Prowse and Marcus Rashford, as well as doubts over Mason Mount s fitness, resulted in the 21-year-old midfielder linking up with Southgate s senior squad at St George s Park.
Smith Rowe is thrilled by the opportunity, though perhaps risked the wrath of Arsenal fans as he singled out training with Harry Kane – England s captain and Spurs talisman, albeit one who has struggled for form this season – as a particularly surreal moment.
Obviously I play against these guys every week but for England it s always different, he told reporters.
Wearing the same training kit and passing the ball to each other – it s crazy to be alongside these great players. Harry Kane, captain of England, what he s done – it s crazy to be training with him. [Raheem] Sterling as well.
I always knew training would be difficult. It still hasn t sunk in I m actually here yet.
Smith Rowe has joined club-mate Bukayo Saka in the squad.
Saka impressed at Euro 2020, though the youngster was one of three England players to miss a penalty in the shoot-out defeat to Italy in the final.
Me and Bukayo are so close off the pitch, I m so happy for him every time he plays for England, Smith Rowe said.
It s extra special to be here with him, we ve both come up from Hale End [the Arsenal academy]. It s a big moment for us and for Arsenal as well.
