Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembélé offered a surprising yet glowing assessment of an Arsenal player following their high-octane encounter last night.
Despite being the match-winner for PSG, Dembélé used the post-match platform to shine the spotlight on a Gunners player who impressed him deeply — and it wasn’t one of the more commonly discussed names like Jurriën Timber or young prospect Lewis Skelly.
In a press conference filled with emotion and reflection, Dembélé acknowledged his own crucial contribution to PSG’s victory but emphasized that one Arsenal player truly stood out to him.
“Even though I scored the winning goal, I have to be honest,” he said.
“There was an Arsenal player who caught me off guard with his quality.
I’ve never come up against someone quite like him in terms of technical skill.”
While Dembélé initially refrained from naming the individual directly, French media present at the event later confirmed that he was referring to Emile Smith Rowe.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who has struggled for game time recently due to injuries and competition for places, was given a rare opportunity to start — and he seized it with both hands.
Smith Rowe’s performance was a blend of creativity, intelligence, and maturity.
He was pivotal in linking up play, navigating through tight areas with ease, and dictating the tempo in key moments.
His display left even a player of Dembélé’s caliber impressed.
“His spatial awareness, his touch under pressure, and how he connects the midfield to the attack — it was incredible,” Dembélé continued.
“If he keeps performing at this level, he’ll become a cornerstone not just for Arsenal, but also for the England national team.”
The Arsenal fanbase, long eager to see Smith Rowe back at his best, reacted enthusiastically online, praising both his performance and the recognition from a player as respected as Dembélé.
The moment also served as a vindication for those who have consistently backed the midfielder through his injury setbacks.
Manager Mikel Arteta also had high praise for Smith Rowe in his own post-match remarks. “I’m really pleased with Emile.
He’s put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes, and tonight, he showed why we believe in him,” Arteta said.
With this performance and Dembélé’s endorsement, Smith Rowe may well be on the cusp of a resurgence.
His showing against PSG could be the spark that reignites his Arsenal career and earns him more regular opportunities in the starting lineup moving forward.
