Emile Smith Rowe’s club-record move to Fulham has finally been confirmed to bring an end to his 14-year love affair at Arsenal.
It’s a transfer that has left boss Mikel Arteta feeling ‘sad’, with the Spaniard unable to guarantee the 24-year-old regular first team football.
The versatile attacking midfielder linked up with the Gunners at the age of ten in 2010, but has now been sold in a deal rising to £34million.
His transfer, which has seen the Cottagers fork out an initial £27m with a further £7m to be paid in add-ons, eclipses the £25m they spent on Jean Michael Seri in 2018.
Smith Rowe had been with Arsenal on their pre-season tour of America, before jetting back to the UK to undergo his Fulham medical.
And he is now with his new-teammates in Portugal to get ready for their Premier League opener away at Manchester United on August 16.
The three-cap England international still had two years left to run on his deal at the Emirates, but has decided to depart in his search of regular football.
Commenting on the sale, Arteta said: “Emile’s commitment, attitude and energy every day was first class, always stepping up when the team needed him.
“He came into the first team and was instrumental during a difficult moment for us.
“He created an important impression, with his strong performances making our supporters proud.
“I’m sad that Emile is leaving us, but excited for him to take this new opportunity at this stage of his career, when he needs to be starting matches and playing regularly.
“Emile is loved by everyone at the club and leaves us with our gratitude, absolute respect and best wishes. We all wish Emile and his family well at Fulham.”
5
5
5
Echoing Arteta’s thoughts, sporting director Edu added: “Emile is loved by us all at the club.
“He has been with us for many years, and we are so proud that he has developed through our Academy system into our first team.
“It has been a positive collaboration to find the right place for Emile, where he will continue to grow and make his mark on the Premier League.
“We have completed an important and positive deal for everyone. We thank Emile for everything he gave to Arsenal and we wish him well in the next stage of his career.”
Having fallen down the pecking order under Arteta, Smith Rowe was restricted to just three top-flight starts in the last two seasons.
His peripheral role at Arsenal has seen him fail to score a goal in all competitions since finding the back of the net in a 4-2 away win at Chelsea in April 2022.
But he will be looking to recapture his form at Craven Cottage as he eyes up a return to Three Lions duty, with it being two years since his last international cap.
While Fulham fans will be left delighted by his arrival, his Arsenal exit will come as a bitter pill to swallow for Gooners.
After making his Arsenal debut in 2018, Smith Rowe banged in 18 goals in 115 games for the north London giants.
His breakthrough 2020/21 season saw him given the iconic No10 jersey, which was previously worn by Dennis Bergkamp, Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Robin van Persie.
And in the 2021/22 term, he became the first Hale End graduate since Cesc Fabregas in 2010 to hit double digits in a single season.
5
But an injury picked up that campaign saw left winger Gabriel Martinelli cement his place in the line-up instead.
The addition of Fabio Vieira then limited Smith Rowe’s game time even further, resulting in the player making just 33 appearances in two years.
Having once insisted he would love to retire at Arsenal, Smith Rowe is now aiming to reinvent himself at the club’s London rivals.
And he may not be the only Hale End graduate to be sold by Arsenal, with Eddie Nketiah a target for Marseille.
Meanwhile Reiss Nelson also faces an uncertain future as he too looks to be a regular starter.
Arsenal have also seen academy starlet Chido Obi-Martin leave London Colney, with United closing in on the signing of the 16-year-old striker.
Though in positive news for Arsenal, they look set to welcome Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino to the Emirates following his starring performances to help Spain win Euro 2024.
It’s been a hectic summer for Arsenal, who have already brought in Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for £38m, as well as David Raya from Brentford in a £27m transfer.