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Arsenal youngster Emile Smith Rowe says he decided to just "have a chance" when he scored his spectacular equaliser against Atletico Madrid in Singapore.

The 17-year-old midfielder stole the headlines with a solo goal in the second half as he dribbled past three Atletico defenders before finding the top corner of the net from just outside the area.

It was a memorable way to mark his first-team debut, and the teenager said he did not hesitate when the opportunity presented itself.

"I played a one-two with [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang, one of their players tried to play it back, and I obviously got it," Smith Rowe told the Arsenal website. "Then I saw a bit of space, and I thought 'you know what, let me try, see what happens.'

"I had time to shoot, so I just thought 'let me try, have a chance', and luckily it just went in. I slipped, but I'm very happy anyway."

Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe is one of many youngsters that have been used in preseason under Unai Emery. Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC

Arsenal lost a penalty shootout after the 1-1 draw but Smith Rowe clearly did enough to impress head coach Unai Emery with his performance.

"Today I am very happy with his work on the pitch, but not only today. It's every day," Emery said after the game. "He's starting today's match because his performances have been good in every training session."

It has been a whirlwind week for Smith Rowe, who said he was not sure he would even be on the plane to Singapore until Saturday, the day before they were flying out.

"The kitman gave me a suitcase and said 'you are travelling to Singapore'. Since then I couldn't stop smiling. It's been a crazy experience so far. I've enjoyed every moment of it," he said.

And he could mark his 18th birthday on Saturday with another Arsenal appearance, when they take on Paris Saint-Germain in their second match of the tour.

He is unlikely to start that match, with Emery expected to rotate his line-up, but could get a chance to play in the second half.

"I turn 18, so if I get on it will be crazy," he said.

Source: espn.co.uk

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