Arsenal star admits he turned down Tottenham move a few years ago 

Emile Smith Rowe has admitted that Tottenham Hotspur tried to sign him when he was a teenager but he turned down the chance to move across the North London divide. 

Smith Rowe has gone from strength to strength since breaking into the Arsenal starting eleven last season.

The technically gifted attacking midfielder has been one of the shining lights for Mikel Arteta’s side so far this campaign.

The youngster has been rewarded for his performances this week by being handed his first call up to the senior England squad.

Tottenham’s former head of elite potential identification David Webb told The Telegraph back in March that Spurs were keen on signing Smith Rowe from Arsenal when he was just 16 years old.

The Arsenal man has now backed up that claim, admitting that the Lilywhites tried to poach him. However, he insisted that he never contemplated the move, having supported the Gunners as a child.

The 21-year-old told The Metro: “Tottenham wanted me when I was 15 or 16 but, as an Arsenal fan, I was never interested. 

“I joined Arsenal at 10 and I was determined to make the grade at my club.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Arsenal fans, more than most fan bases, have a habit of overhyping their own players even after just a handful of good performances. However, Smith Rowe is someone they are right to be excited about as the youngster evidently has a very high ceiling.

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