Emile Smith Rowe sent a timely message to Mikel Arteta that he could yet play a part in Arsenal ’s title run-in.
The 22-year-old playmaker grabbed his first goal of an injury-ravaged campaign as he put Lee Carsley’s Under-21s on the road to a morale-boosting victory.
Smith Rowe, who was the Gunners’ second top scorer last term, has struggled to shake off a nagging groin injury and has seen his game-time limited as Arteta’s side moved ahead of the Premier League pack.
But he showed that he had lost none of that killer instinct in front of goal by striking the first blow as the Under-21s continued their steady progress ahead of the Euros this summer.
France were the better side for long periods of this game but once the deadlock was broken, the hosts were rarely in any trouble.
And three late goals after a raft of second-half changes from substitutes Noni Madueke, Curtis Jones and Jacob Ramsey gave the scoreline a far healthier look than it had after a drab opening period in which England’s youngsters were second-best.
However, the match was a triumph for Smith Rowe who was preferred in the starting line-up to Chelsea striker Madueke on the left-hand side of his front three.
And that faith was rewarded six minutes after the interval when Oliver Skipp picked up Benoit Badiashile’s loose ball out of defence.
The Spurs man easily intercepted the pass and it fell for skipper Morgan Gibbs-White on the right.
The Nottingham Forest man looked up and found Smith Rowe with a lovely cross that the striker nodded comfortably home.
Arteta had confirmed that Smith Rowe may yet feature this season when he said this week, “Emile knows how much we love him and how much we have missed him.”
Before the interval, keeper James Trafford had taken centre stage with a couple of stops that ensured Carsley’s side went into the break on level terms.
The Manchester City man pulled off two smart stops - one from impressive Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki who strolled through the home backline only for Trafford to guess correctly and block his sidefoot.
Then he pulled off the best save of the game when he tipped over a dipping shot from midfielder Manu Kone.
After Smith Rowe struck, Carsley effected changes throughout his side just after the hour - and it gave England fresh impetus.
Madueke added the second after neat interplay between him and Jones. And then the Liverpool man returned the favour by crossing for his colleague to produce a lovely back-flick finish.
A thoroughly-satisfactory evening at the King Power Stadium was rounded off in the last few minutes when Aston Villa’s Ramsey finished after yet more good work by Madueke.
