Former Huddersfield Town forward, Dale Tempest, has been lamenting to return of Emile Smith Rowe to Arsenal, wishing they could have kept him for another season.

Emile Smith Rowe during his first Huddersfield interview (Photo via HTAFC.com)
Emile Smith Rowe during his first Huddersfield interview (Photo via HTAFC.com)

“I am disappointed to see young Emile Smith Rowe not staying another year,” said Tempest in Monday’s Huddersfield Examiner. “But he is an exceptional talent and you can see why Mikel Arteta wanted him back.

“There are so many players like that in the Premier League Academy set-ups it must be a really good hunting ground for Town’s scouts.”

Arteta wanted Smith Rowe, Tempest: ESR is Gunner be a star - Huddersfield Examiner, 10 August 2020
Tempest: ESR is Gunner be a star – Huddersfield Examiner, 10 August 2020. Dale Tempest understands why Arteta wanted Smith Rowe back.

Smith Rowe made 19 appearances for Huddersfield as they struggled in the Championship, finishing 18th on goal difference and avoiding the drop by just three points. Although they might have been hoping to agree another loan for the 20-year-old, Arteta wanted Smith Rowe back at Arsenal.

Playing in a deeper midfield role than we are used to seeing him, Smith Rowe still managed to score two and assist three, even though he only averaged 62 minutes per game. Terriers supporters were certainly big fans of the Arsenal academy graduate.

Speaking towards the end of July, Mikel Arteta extolled the youngster’s virtues and is clearly excited to work with him. How do I know? Because he said he was.

Emile Smith Rowe (Photo via Twitter / Arsenal)
Emile Smith Rowe (Photo via Twitter / Arsenal)

“He’s a player with very specific qualities to play in those pockets in that position as an attacking midfielder,” Arteta told Sky Sports. “I’m excited to work with him. I have been talking with him and I have followed him during his spell on loan.

“I think he’s someone who can be pretty impressive. I’m pleased by what I’ve seen from him. He needed that exposure and he looks more mature now. I think he will be in a much better place when he comes back in pre-season.”

Smith Rowe already has 12 senior Arsenal appearances under his belt, as well as three goals, two of which he scored in the Europa League in his first four games.

Tempest, meanwhile, was Huddersfield’s top scorer on two occasions during the 80s before leaving for KSC Lokeren in Belgium.

Dale Tempest (via ExaminerLive.co.uk)
Dale Tempest (via ExaminerLive.co.uk)

His career also took him to Colchester United and three different teams in Hong Kong (South China AA (twice), Eastern AA (twice), Kitche SC) where he was the league’s top goalscorer a record five times.

Although born in Leeds, he represented Hong Kong at international level, playing six games and scoring two, after obtaining permanent resident status in 1997.

Hong Kong became a member of FIFA in 1954 but it remains to be seen how long the Chinese government will allow them to remain an international team in their own right as they try to absorb the Special Administrative Region deeper into the Chinese state.

Tempest also played for Fulham for four years before moving to Huddersfield where he was sent on loan to Gillingham in the middle of his time there.