Popular midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has now completed his move from Arsenal to Fulham, in a heartbreaking move.
Smith Rowe has been at the club since he was 10, and moved up the ranks within Hale End before breaking into the first-team to help save Mikel Arteta’s job.
Arsenal have since thrived under Arteta, with Smith Rowe initially a poster boy for his project alongside Bukayo Saka, and he was extremely popular with fans.
However, injury issues saw Smith Rowe endure two difficult seasons, and he started just three Premier League games in that time.
Arsenal fans are hoping that he can get back to his best at Fulham, and after penning an emotional farewell to his boyhood club, some of his teammates have said their goodbyes.
Emile Smith Rowe says emotional Arsenal farewell as Fulham move confirmed
Smith Rowe took to Instagram to say goodbye to the Arsenal fans after leaving the club, in what was an emotional farewell.
“To the Arsenal family, I wasn’t sure where to start with this as it is the hardest message to write to you all.
“I was ten years old when I first signed for this club, just a kid with no idea that I would go on to make over 100 appearances and wear the iconic no.10 for Arsenal.
“I’ve experienced so much here, met and played with the best and made so many memories that it’s hard to pick out the best moments.
“There’s too many people to thank but I want to say thank you to all my teammates over the years, every staff member that’s helped me along the way and especially to you fans for making Arsenal *Home* to me for so long.
“I’m ready to take on a new challenge now, I feel hungrier than ever and I have to give myself the opportunity to take the next step.
“So thank you again to the Arsenal family, I’ll always appreciate you all.”
Arsenal players pen goodbye messages to Emile Smith Rowe
Several Arsenal players expressed their sadness at Smith Rowe’s exit, with his popularity in the squad clearly showing.
“Love you my boy,” Eddie Nketiah posted on his Instagram story.
“Going to miss you my brother,” Declan Rice posted on his.
“What a guy man,” Jurrien Timber posted on his story.
“I’m gonna miss you bro,” Gabriel Magalhaes posted.
“Gonna miss sitting next to you everyday,” goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale posted.
A player who has been notably quiet is Bukayo Saka, but given his relationship with Smith Rowe as academy graduates who progressed together, and who both broke into the first-team as similar times in attack, we can expect a longer message from him.
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