Arsenal have confirmed that Emile Smith Rowe has now left the club in a permanent move, with the midfielder joining Fulham.
The 24-year-old has moved across London in a deal which could total £34m, in line with the biggest sales in the history of the club.
Smith Rowe was a popular player amongst Arsenal fans, and his breakthrough into the first team arguably helped save Mikel Arteta’s job back in the 2020-21 season.
Over the years, several key players have left Arsenal in controversial circumstances after being fan favourites and joined rival clubs.
When the likes of Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined rivals, Arsenal fans certainly did not want them to succeed. However, this is an entirely different case.
Arsenal fans want Emile Smith Rowe to fulfil his potential at Fulham
Arsenal fans are gutted at Smith Rowe’s departure, and have now taken to X to express their sadness, whilst also hoping that he can rediscover his best form and fulfil his potential.
“Smith Rowe is a success story. Came through the ranks, lived up to the hype, had amazing moments, hit a bump and is now sold for ~30m. There is no “didn’t make it”, “didn’t work out”. He did make it, he did work out, and he’s going to have a brilliant career,” one fan posted.
“Smith Rowe is up there with some players that epitomise “Arsenal” for me. Technical, unique, glides in the pitch, he’s typical Arsenal. I’ve felt this transfer way more than some in the past, hope he lives up to his potential,” another added.
“Really hope Emile smith Rowe fulfills his potential man class player,” another lamented.
“I really hope Smith Rowe can take advantage of this move and fulfill his potential. It’s a bummer he couldn’t quite stick at Arsenal but he gave us some great memories and will be remembered fondly here,” another fan claimed.
Emile Smith Rowe now has chance to reignite career at Fulham
Smith Rowe is a vastly talented player, and at his best, was a key figure in the Arsenal team alongside Bukayo Saka.
He had to endure two difficult years on the fringes of the team after his injury issues, and his progress has stalled. He and Saka were the faces of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal project, and Saka is now one of the best in the world in his position, but Smith Rowe has found himself out in the cold.
His move to Fulham could help reignite his career as he takes on a key role, and if he can prove his fitness and find his form again, he could end up reuniting with Saka for England at the 2026 World Cup.
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