Smith Rowe Gets First England Call

Arsenal Attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe celebrating a goal in a past premier league match.
Arsenal Attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe celebrating a goal in a past premier league match.
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Arsenal's young star Smith Rowe on Monday joined the England squad at St George's Park ahead of the forthcoming World Cup Qualifiers  

His appearance at the camp was as a result of some changes in the England squad, with two players dropping out.  

The Arsenal attacking midfielder has been in excellent form for his club this season, but was not initially included in Southgate's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and San Marino.  

This is Smith Rowe’s  first senior call up to the England squad from Gareth Southgate as he has been featuring in the under 21 squad.  

Smith Rowe has appeared in every Premier League game for the Gunners so far this season since being handed the number 10 jersey.  

He has provided two league assists and scored four goals, meaning he is the club's joint-top scorer in the top flight alongside captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.  

Smith Rowe had initially arrived at St George's Park to be part of the England Under-21 squad, but he will instead join the senior side after Marcus Rashford and James Ward-Prowse dropped out.  

Rashford just returned from a long injury following shoulder surgery and has chosen to remain at Manchester United in order to work his way back to fitness, while Southampton's Ward-Prowse is ill.  

Southgate might also be without regulars Luke Shaw and Mason Mount this is as Luke Shaw suffered a head injury during the weekend derby thus must observe concussion protocol and will continue to be assessed by the club before being released for international duty.   

Meanwhile Mason Mount has had his arrival pushed back by dental surgery and will be monitored over the coming days.  

England are set to host Albania on November 11, before taking on San Marino three days later. They need to get at least four points from the two matches to guarantee them a place in Qatar.