EMILE SMITH ROWE sent a timely message to Mikel Arteta that he could yet play a part in Arsenal’s title run-in.
The 22-year-old playmaker grabbed his first goal of an injury-ravaged campaign as he put Lee Carsley’s Under-21s on the road to a morale-boosting victory.
Smith Rowe, who was the Gunners’ second-top scorer last term, has struggled to shake off a nagging groin injury and has seen his game-time limited as Arteta’s side moved ahead of the Premier League pack.
But he showed that he had lost none of that killer instinct in front of goal by striking the first blow as the Under-21s continued their steady progress ahead of the Euros this summer.
France were the better side for long periods of this game but once the deadlock was broken, the hosts were rarely in any trouble.
And three late goals after a raft of second-half changes from substitutes Noni Madueke (right), Curtis Jones and Jacob Ramsey gave the scoreline a far healthier look than it had after a drab opening period in which England’s youngsters were second best.
This story is from the March 26, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 26, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Blades blunted once again as Clarets run riot
BURNLEY routed Sheffield United for the second time to keep alive their hopes of staying in the Premier League and condemn the Blades to almost certain relegation.
Moyes: We must win every match
DAVID MOYES says West Ham must win all five remaining Premier League matches if they are to qualify for Europe again.
SELBY'S FIGHTING FOR FAMILY
SNOOKER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: Jester chases No.5
Bull fight must stop says Max
FORMULA ONE-CHINESE GP: Verstappen's big ask
ARTETA RELIES ON TROSS-FIRE
Leandro strike sends Arsenal back to the Premier summit
Cup fever turns into damp squib for boss
THE ball burst at Wembley during the first half.
How built-in cold patches let giraffes beat the heat
A CAMERA crew used thermal imaging equipment to discover how giraffes can survive in temperatures that soar above 50C.
Fears EU app delay may derail Eurostar
TOUGH new EU travel rules could cause chaos on Channel Tunnel rail services, ministers fear.
Time to clean up politics and weed out risk-taker MPs
IN THE past few days, Sunday Express readers will have been asking themselves what is wrong with our Members of Parliament. Barely a fortnight ago, Conservative MP William Wragg was forced to step down from Parliamentary duties after admitting he had sent naked photos of himself to someone he had never met.
US approves £49bn aid package for Ukraine
A £49 BILLION aid package for Ukraine was approved by the US House of Representatives last night.