Derby County boss Wayne Rooney has revealed he once tried to sign Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe on loan when he first joined Pride Park and hailed the young English talent as 'fantastic'.
Smith Rowe is enjoying a standout season for the Gunners after properly breaking through last year - scoring ten goals for Mikel Arteta in this campaign and earning his first ever England cap against Albania in November.
The 21-year-old has been a bright spark in midfield to bring Arsenal's season to life after a shaky start, making 20 starts in total, with nine more appearances coming off the bench.