Arsenal didn’t play this weekend, which is probably a good thing for Gunners fans. The team was already knocked out of the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest in the third round, meaning Gooners can’t even take pleasure in Tottenham having to replay Newport County. But the curl on this Arsenal youth goal almost makes up for not having a match to watch this weekend.
Arsenal’s U-23 side was playing Sunderland’s U-23 side on Sunday when Emile Smith Rowe, a 17-year-old Englishman with a pouty face ripped straight from an emo band, scored an incredible Arsenal youth goal.
Smith Rowe’s shot started off looking as though it would go straight out of bounds until the curl swirled it right into the back of the Sunderland net.
#AFCU23s lead 2-0 against @SunderlandAFC at half-time
Here's how Emile Smith Rowe gave us the lead pic.twitter.com/aBq20lCopR— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) January 28, 2018
OK so maybe it’s not quite Roberto Carlos against France, but that was one beautifully struck shot.
The young Gunners won 3-1, with Tyreece John-Jules netting a brace. None were as fantastic as Smith Rowe’s curler, the first of the match.
A stunning Arsenal youth goal is nothing new for Arsene Wenger’s academy players. Earlier this year Reiss Nelson pulled off this sick move in training. If only the Gunners first team could do that more often Gooners wouldn’t be stuck watching U-23 highlights.
Arsenal’s first team is back in action on Tuesday at Swansea.