After a friendly match with Bournemouth on a tour in the US, Mikel Arteta confirmed that Emile Smith Rowe will leave Arsenal before the new season. According to The Athletic, Fulham is moving to recruit the English midfielder with a contract worth 35 million pounds.
This deal makes many Gunners fans feel regretful when Smith Rowe is one of the academy's brightest talents alongside Bukayo Saka. The appearance of this duo brings a new breeze to Arsenal 's attack under Mikel Arteta. However, while Saka rose to become the best winger in England, Smith Rowe's career plummeted.
In his first two seasons at Arsenal 's first team , Smith Rowe contributed to 24 goals in all competitions (15 goals, 9 assists). This parameter is only behind Saka with 31 contributions to goals. The 23-year-old midfielder also created 69 opportunities from live balls, behind only Bukayo Saka (101) and Martin Odegaard (97).
In the Premier League 2020-2021 alone, Smith Rowe had 10 goals, reaching the top 20 highest scorers of the season. This number is only behind Bukayo Saka (11 goals), equal to Bruno Fernandes (10 goals) and ahead of Phil Foden (9 goals), Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard (both 8 goals). It's hard to believe that Havertz and Trossard were later the reason why Arsenal decided to sell Smith Rowe.
The midfielder born in 2000 maintained his impressive form in the following season, thereby appearing on Gareth Southgate's England squad for the first time. According to statistics at the end of the 2021-2022 season, Smith Rowe had 18 goals after 55 Premier League matches at the age of 21 years and 192 days. This achievement helps the English international match former players Paul Scholes (18 goals in 44 matches), Gareth Bale (18 goals in 76 matches) and surpass Arsenal stars like Aaron Ramsey (14 goals in 75 matches). and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (13 goals in 78 matches).
However, those were also the last impressive statistics of Emile Smith Rowe at Arsenal. A groin muscle injury forced the midfielder born in 2000 to sit out for 121 days, missing 21 matches in the 2022-2023 season. Returning from injury, Smith Rowe no longer has a place at Arsenal, as the team enters the sprint phase of the championship race. The knee injury in the following season continued to prevent the 2000-born midfielder from playing and losing his position at the home team at Emirates Stadium.
In the last two seasons, Emile Smith Rowe only started 3 times in 25 matches. The Arsenal academy product had 3 assists but did not score any goals. Sad statistics after consecutive injuries forced The Gunners to sell Smith Rowe to bring in quality rookies before the new season.
Having to leave Arsenal after 13 years is considered the only chance for Emile Smith Rowe to save his career. Opta Analyst describes that the 23-year-old midfielder's mobility and inherent qualities will bring a breath of fresh air if he lands at Fulham. Smith Rowe's ability to create and sharp tactical vision can even be a source of inspiration to help the Craven Cottage team fly high in the 2024-2025 season.
