The Right Club for Me: Emile Smith-Rowe Reveals Love for Arsenal After Spurning Barcelona Interest

Arsenal winger Emile Smith-Rowe has admitted he was pleased to hear that Barcelona were interested in his signature when he was younger, but leaving the Gunners as a 16-year-old was never on his mind.

Since Unai Emery's arrival in the summer, Smith-Rowe, now 18, has made his first-team breakthrough in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions, scoring three goals in six appearances.

It comes as a reward for his loyalty and commitment to ​Arsenal, who he has been with since he was nine, with Smith-Rowe telling ​Sky Sports that despite being flattered by ​Barcelona's interest, there has only ever been one club for him.

"I used to watch that Barcelona team, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, when they were in their prime," he said.

"So when I found out that they were interested of course I was very happy, but I can't explain to you how much I feel that Arsenal is the right club for me."

While he looks to have settled in on the pitch, however, Smith-Rowe admits he is still pinching himself about his involvement in the first-team alongside players like ​Mesut Ozil and ​Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

"I'm just sitting there thinking, 'What is going on?'" he added.

"I look up to these players so much. To get a chance to be in the same dressing room as them - let alone on the same pitch - is unbelievable. I still feel like I'm in a dream.

"I was shocked that I even went away with the first-team in pre-season, so to get the chances that the manager has given me has just been great. 

"It's a bit surreal to think about the players he has worked with. Now he's there giving me advice. I'm grateful for what he has done for me. All I can do is just play really well for him and show him how good I am."

Smith-Rowe will now hope to continue his development with Premier League minutes, though he may have to bide his time before ousting some of Arsenal's more established stars.