Mikel Arteta left devastated as Arsenal confirm £34m sale of Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham
Emile Smith Rowe's record-breaking move to Fulham has finally been confirmed to end his 14-year love affair with Arsenal.
It is a transfer that has left the boss Mikel Arteta Feeling 'sad' that the Spaniard cannot guarantee the 24-year-old a regular role in the first team.
The versatile attacking midfielder connected with the Gunners at the age of ten in 2010, but has now been sold in a deal worth £34million.
His transfer, which has meant the The inhabitants of a cabin shell out an initial £27m with a further £7m to be paid in add-ons, eclipsing the £25m they spent on Jean Michael Seri in 2018.
Smith RoweThe 28-year-old, who signed a five-year contract at Craven Cottage with the option of a further 12 months, had been with Arsenal on their pre-season tour of the United States before returning to the UK to undergo his medical with Fulham.
And he will now join up with his new team-mates in Portugal to prepare for his first Premier League away game. Manchester United on August 16th.
The three-capped England international still had two years left on his contract at the Emirates but decided to leave in search of regularity.
Expressing his joy for Fulham websiteSmith Rowe said: “I'm finally here so I'm really happy for myself and my family – it's a good time.
“I'm really excited, I just wanted to get here as quickly as possible so I could get going with my teammates.
“Listening to the project, talking to the coach (Marco Silva) and seeing what players we have here already, I think it is an exciting project for me and definitely the perfect step for my career in the future.”
Meanwhile, Arteta was devastated by his sale, saying: “Emile's commitment, attitude and energy every day was top class, always stepping up when the team needed him.
“He came into the first team and was decisive in a difficult moment for us.
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“He made a big impression and made our fans proud with his good performances.
“I'm sad that Emile is leaving us, but excited for him to take advantage of this new opportunity at this stage of his career, when he needs to be a starter and play regularly.
“Emile is much loved by everyone at the club and leaves us with our gratitude, our absolute respect and our best wishes. We all wish Emile and his family the very best at Fulham.”
Echoing Arteta's thoughts, sporting director Edu added: “Emile is loved by all of us at the club.
“He has been with us for many years and we are very proud that he has progressed through our Academy system to reach 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 in the Premier League.
“We have concluded an important and positive deal for everyone. We thank Emile for everything he has given to Arsenal and we wish him all the best in the next stage of his career.”
Having fallen down the pecking order ArtetaSmith Rowe has been limited to just three top-flight starts over the past 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 against Chelsea in April 2022.
But he will be looking to rediscover his form at Craven Cottage as he aims to return to the Three Lions, having made it two years since his last international appearance.
While Fulham fans will be delighted with his arrival, his departure from Arsenal will be a bitter pill to swallow for the Gooners.
After making his debut for Arsenal in 2018, Smith Rowe went on to score 18 goals in 115 appearances for the north London giants.
His breakthrough 2020/21 season saw him wear the iconic number 10 shirt, previously worn by Dennis Bergkamp, Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Robin van Persie.
And in the 2021/22 season, he became the first Hale End graduate since Cesc Fabregas in 2010 to reach double figures in a single season.
But an injury that season forced left winger Gabriel Martinelli to consolidate his place in the lineup.
The addition of Fabio Vieira further limited Smith Rowe's playing time, 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 sold by Arsenal, with Eddie Nketiah a target for Marseille.
Meanwhile, Reiss Nelson also faces an uncertain future as he too appears to be a regular starter.
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Arsenal have also seen academy star Chido Obi-Martin leave London Colney for United. Approaching the signing of the 16-year-old striker.
Although this is positive news for Arsenal, they… It seems we are ready to welcome Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino arrives at the Emirates after his outstanding performances in helping Spain win Euro 2024.
It has been a hectic summer for Arsenal, who have already signed Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for £38m, as well as David Raya from Brentford in a £27m transfer.
