NOW SHOW EM YOU'RE A TOP GUN

Parlour urges Euro Champs hero Smith Rowe to demand opportunity to earn first-team spot

- SIMON BIRD

ARSENAL legend Ray Parlour says Emile Smith Rowe should demand the chance to prove himself a first-team regular.

The England Under-21 star has returned from a victorious European Championship campaign with Lee Carsley’s side, facing a battle for game time at the Emirates.

Smith Rowe endured a difficult season as Arsenal chased the title last term, missing four months from early September after groin surgery, and only becoming a regular substitute in March. The season before that was he hampered by needing injections in his groin.

Parlour (below) has insisted the 22-year-old must bury any feeling of frustration and disappointment at only getting the odd 20-minute spell last season, and rebuild with positivity.