After a friendly against Bournemouth in the US tour, Mikel Arteta confirmed Emile Smith Rowe will leave Arsenal ahead of the new season. According to The Athletic, Fulham is preparing to sign the England midfielder with a £35 million contract.
This deal made many Gunners fans regretful that Smith Rowe is one of the bright talents of the academy alongside Bukayo Saka. The duo's arrival has breathed new life into Arsenal's attack under Mikel Arteta. However, while Saka has risen to become the best winger in England, Smith Rowe's career has plummeted.
In his first two seasons at Arsenal, Smith Rowe has contributed his mark to 24 goals in all competitions (15 goals, 9 assists). This statistic is only behind Saka with 31 goals. The 23-year-old midfielder also created 69 chances from open play, behind only Bukayo Saka (101) and Martin Odegaard (97).
In the 2020-2021 Premier League alone, Smith Rowe scored 10 goals, making him one of the top 20 players with the most goals of the season. This number is only behind Bukayo Saka (11 goals), equal to Bruno Fernandes (10 goals) and above Phil Foden (9 goals), Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard (all 8 goals). It is hard to believe that Havertz and Trossard were the reasons Arsenal decided to sell Smith Rowe.
The midfielder born in 2000 maintained his impressive form in the following season, thereby making his first appearance in Gareth Southgate's England squad. According to statistics at the end of the 2021-2022 season, Smith Rowe scored 18 goals in 55 Premier League matches at the age of 21 years and 192 days. This achievement has helped the England international equal former player Paul Scholes (18 goals in 44 matches), Gareth Bale (18 goals in 76 matches) and surpassed Arsenal stars such as Aaron Ramsey (14 goals in 75 matches) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (13 goals in 78 matches).
However, those were also Emile Smith Rowe's last impressive goals at Arsenal. A groin injury has kept the midfielder born in 2000 out for 121 days, missing 21 games in the 2022-23 season. Returning from injury, Smith Rowe no longer has a place at Arsenal, as the team enters the final stage of the championship race. Knee injuries in the following season continued to keep the midfielder born in 2000 out and cost him his position in the Emirates team.
In the last 2 seasons, Emile Smith Rowe has only started 3 times in 25 matches. The Arsenal academy product has 3 assists but has not scored any goals. sad statistics after consecutive injuries forced The Gunners to sell Smith Rowe to bring in quality new players before the new season.
Having to leave Arsenal after 13 years of association is considered the only opportunity for Emile Smith Rowe to save his career. Opta Analyst described that the 23-year-old midfielder's mobility and inherent qualities will bring a new breeze if he joins Fulham. Smith Rowe's creativity and sharp tactical vision can even be a source of inspiration for the Craven Cottage team to fly high in the 2024-2025 season.
