Emile Smith Rowe caught the attention of plenty of Arsenal fans with his performance in Fulham’s win over Nottingham Forest.
It’s been a year and a half since Smith Rowe left Arsenal, and some are still attempting to get over his departure.
Seeing an academy product depart for good is always emotional, even more so for a player of Smith Rowe’s level, as injuries took him from hero to zero.
The midfielder went from being a first-team regular under Mikel Arteta to a player who averaged only 28 minutes per game in his final Premier League season at Arsenal, paving his way to sign for Fulham.
When did you realise that Emile Smith Rowe didn’t have a future at Arsenal?
Emile Smith Rowe opens up about his struggles after leaving Arsenal
Things haven’t been easy at all for Smith Rowe since he flew the nest, despite having the backing of Marco Silva.
After completing a £27m move down the Thames, the Englishman struggled to find his feet in his first season away from Arsenal, but still managed to contribute to nine Premier League goals.
In Smith Rowe’s eyes, that wasn’t enough, as he said prior to Fulham’s win over Forest on matchday 17.
“It wasn’t the greatest first season for me here. It was okay,” the midfielder said, as per journalist Jack Kelly.
What came next reminded fans of the difficulties Smith Rowe faced before he left Arsenal.
“People have to understand it was my first time for a while consistently playing again. I had a lot of ups and downs at Arsenal, being injured, not playing.”
It’s one thing to leave your boyhood club after 14 years and another to sign for a new club while lacking match fitness and regaining confidence.
Smith Rowe still hasn’t done one thing for Fulham, and it’s unbelievable
In his final season at Arsenal, Smith Rowe was an unused sub 18 times and played only 346 Premier League minutes, which certainly would’ve taken its toll.
In fact, it definitely took its toll, so much so that almost two years after his transfer, the playmaker is yet to complete 90 minutes in the Premier League for Fulham.
Arsenal sold Smith Rowe for £27m, how much is he worth now?
Fitness has always been a problem for Smith Rowe due to injury and managing minutes, which has seemingly carried over at Fulham.
In 51 league appearances, Smith Rowe has yet to end a match that he started on the pitch.
The Hale End graduate is in the right environment to flourish, as Arsenal fans know how much more there is to come from the 25-year-old.
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