Arsenal let go of several popular players in the first-team during the summer transfer window, as Mikel Arteta wielded the axe on his squad.
A number of players needed to leave for their own benefit as they fell down the pecking order at Arsenal, but not all of these decisions were easy, as some of these players were academy graduates.
Aaron Ramsdale has had a difficult start at Southampton since his deadline-day exit, with the goalkeeper departing after Mikel Arteta replaced him with David Raya,
A trio of Hale End graduates departed, as Emile Smith Rowe joined Fulham and Eddie Nketiah moved to Crystal Palace on permanent deals, whilst Reiss Nelson followed Smith Rowe to Fulham on loan on deadline day.
Smith Rowe’s departure was a particularly difficult one given his talent and his popularity amongst the fans, but he needed to leave for regular minutes.
Smith Rowe is now thriving at Fulham, but his former teammate Bukayo Saka has admitted that he misses him, with the pair breaking into the Arsenal first-team at similar times.
Bukayo Saka admits he misses Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah after Arsenal exits
Speaking on the Men In Blazers Podcast, Saka revealed that he misses the whole trio of Nketiah, Nelson and Smith Rowe, as they had a huge impact on him during his breakthrough into the team.
“Yeah I’m not gonna lie, I miss them a bit you know,” Saka claimed.
“Since I came into the first team, they’ve been kinda like my big brothers, the way they welcomed me and stuff like that, so yeah it was it wasn’t easy to see them all go, but at the same time I’m I’m really happy for them.
“They’re three top, top players, with so much quality, and I’m definitely sure they’re going to shine in the Premier League this year.”
Arsenal had to part ways with Hale End stars to evolve
Nelson, Smith Rowe and Nketiah are all very talented players, but all three had to depart Arsenal this summer as they need to play regularly.
Spending more time on the fringes of the Arsenal squad would have harmed their careers, and unlike Saka, none could establish themselves as key players ahead of the likes of Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz.
Arteta also had to make the difficult decision to sell such popular players, given the financial benefits as well as the freedom to upgrade his squad. Havertz has taken Nketiah’s minutes as a centre-forward, whilst Mikel Merino and Raheem Sterling joined to replace Smith Rowe and Nelson.
All three players left on good terms, and the trio can expect strong receptions should they face their former club at the Emirates in the future.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
