Croydon-born Smith Rowe, an Under-17 World Cup winner with England last year, struck in the 53rd minute of a 3-0 Europa League win away to Qarabag.
Delighted Emery said: “Emile has the physical quality and the right mentality and today he has taken one more step forward in his career.
“If I have to say one quality it is humble mentality. He listens every day in training and in the video analysis after matches.
“He knows how we want to play and is very keen to improve and keep progressing with us in training and in matches.
“I prefer not to speak too much about him as it is better for him to keep his feet on the ground, but I told him when he left the pitch tonight that with ambition he can get into the box and score more.
“Against Brentford last week he had three chances in the box and didn’t score. Today he had two opportunities and he scored one.”
Yet while Emery wants his boy wonder to maintain a low profile, former England boss Glenn Hoddle has urged Smith Rowe to really push himself forward for a regular place in the Arsenal team.
Hoddle said: “He’s got to put his chest out and say ‘I can play, I’m as good as you and in the end I’m going to take your shirt off you’.
“That’s the attitude you’ve got to have as a young kid.
“I haven’t seen enough of him but he’s got a frame that looks as if it’s going to build over the next few years and I like the fact that he’s comfortable with left and right foot.
“That’s a massive bonus for a young kid and he’s also got a nice change of pace.
“Now it’s all down to the temperament side of it. It’s whether he can go in there and produce what he’s done at the development level and not get overshadowed.”
Last night’s win also featured first Arsenal goals for Sokratis and Matteo Guendouzi.
The Gunners have now won eight in a row but Emery said: “We suffered in the first-half and that’s what I want.
“I don’t want easy games because then we can show our quality and our organic moment like we have done today.”
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