Emile Smith Rowe has now spoken out about his departure from Arsenal and fresh start at Fulham.
Emile Smith Rowe left Arsenal this summer, after having spent the majority of his life so far on the club’s books.
The 24-year-old joined the club’s Hale End academy when he was just ten, and has grown up within the Gunners’ youth system.
He made his first team debut in 2018, and went on to make 115 appearances, across all competitions for Arsenal, and established himself as a firm fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium.
However, he slipped down the pecking order over the course of the last two seasons, as injuries also stalled his progress. The 3-cap England international clearly did not feature heavily in Mikel Arteta’s plans anymore, so was right to move on this summer.
At this stage in his career, he needs to be playing regular football. If he can get back to his best, then he has the capacity to establish himself as a star at Craven Cottage. Arteta has been warned he may regret letting Smith Rowe go, as there is no doubt that he is a top class talent.
Emile Smith Rowe discusses Arsenal exit
Smith Rowe posted a farewell message on Instagram when his Arsenal departure was confirmed, but since then has not publicly spoken out about his move.
Meanwhile, Declan Rice and other Arsenal stars sent messages to Smith Rowe, and it is clear that he will be much-missed at the Emirates Stadium.
Now, in a video clip posted to X by HaytersTV, Smith Rowe has provided an insight into how he felt about leaving Arsenal, and how his transition to life at Fulham has gone.
He said: “I’ve settled in really well. It was definitely an emotional move. Being at Arsenal for so long, it was obviously a sad moment, but I’m in a really good place at the moment. I’m really happy and the manager, the staff, and all the players they’ve taken me in so well and everyone has given me confidence and helped me settle in, so I’m really happy about that.”
Smith Rowe is embraced at Fulham and finds Arsenal connection there
Fulham fans have taken to Smith Rowe very quickly, and the player has hit the ground running in West London. Just seven minutes into his non-competitive debut, in a pre-season friendly against Sevilla, Smith Rowe found the back of the net for his new club.
Meanwhile, he has discovered a connection with the Gunners at Fulham too. Former Arsenal stars Bernd Leno and Alex Iwobi welcomed Smith Rowe to his new club as he was undergoing his medical.
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