Arteta comments on Arsenal transfer plans ahead of January window
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has revealed the squad enjoy a popular fan song about Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe so much they have requested it to be played after wining a game at the Emirates Stadium. The pair have emerged as arguably the most popular players in Mikel Arteta’s side despite their tender age, having graduated from the club’s academy to become key first-team members.
Smith Rowe, 21, is enjoying his finest season with the Gunners, scoring eight goals in the Premier League and three in his last four games.
Saka, 20, has also been in fine form and scored the opener in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, taking his own tally up to six goals and four assists in 19 appearances so far.
Their impressive displays have coincided with the north London side’s surge up the table into fourth place, with Champions League football next season looking a more realistic aim with every game.
In honouring the recent performances of the two Hale End graduates, Arsenal fans decided to create a catchy fan chant that has been reverberating around the Emirates on matchdays.
Sung to the tune of ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’ by Status Quo, the song makes reference to how the academy is continuing to produce talented young players, with Charlie Patino set to become the next one to follow on Saka and Smith Rowe’s footsteps.
Aaron Ramsdale: The Arsenal goalkeeper has enjoyed the new Emirates chant (Image: Getty Images)
And it is not just the fans who are enjoying the tune either — Ramsdale says the players can’t get enough of the song and even perform their own rendition on the bus after games.
With some luck, the 23-year-old’s wish for the song to be played after the final whistle will be granted in the near future.
“We’ve asked if we can get it on at the stadium when we win – that would be rocking,” Ramsdale said in an interview with the club’s official website.
“But those two are sensational at the moment. If we can keep them both fit and help them by not putting too much pressure on their shoulders they’ll be flying.
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“But that song definitely gets the team bus rocking after the game.”
It is not only the two youngsters Saka and Smith Rowe whom have caught the eye under Arteta this season.
Ramsdale was signed for a £24m fee from Sheffield United with a reputation for failure, having been relegated in successive seasons with the Blades and Bournemouth.
But the England international has worked hard to usurp Bernd Leno for the No1 jersey, appearing in every game since his debut against Norwich.
And he insists he had to block out the noise from critics who didn’t believe he was good enough.
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe: The Arsenal starlets are popular at the Emirates (Image: Getty Images/Arsenal FC)
“Well, obviously there were people saying certain things but I wasn’t listening to it because they weren’t the ones paying the money for me,” he added.
“They weren’t the ones wanting me to come and play for Arsenal and they weren’t the ones who were going to pick me to play for Arsenal.
"I was more bothered about what the boss wanted from me, what he wanted to get out of me and what my team-mates wanted from me as well.
“So I’ve answered the critics for now but I’d like to be judged over two, three, four years, not just a few games.”
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta's side currently sit fourth in the Premier League (Image: Getty Images)
Lyrics to the Saka and Smith Rowe chant:
“I like it, I like it, I like it,
“I like it, I like it, oooh,
“Hale End’s on a roll,
“Saka and Emile Smith Rowe!"
(To the tune of Status Quo's Rockin' All Over The World)
