Ian Wright makes interesting point about Emile Smith Rowe after watching Arsenal struggle recently

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It was certainly an emotional moment for a lot of Arsenal supporters when Emile Smith Rowe left the club for Fulham this summer.

Smith Rowe was once spoken about in the same breath as Bukayo Saka at Arsenal, there was nothing to choose between the pair.

However, as Saka’s talent began to explode, Smith Rowe took a step back partly owing to the consistent injuries he’s suffered over the last few years.

Mikel Arteta always backed Smith Rowe, but ultimately agreed that it was time for the 24-year-old to embark on a new challenge, one he’s making the most of at Fulham.

Marco Silva has been delighted with Reiss Nelson recently, who’s only on loan at Fulham from Arsenal, and the Portuguese manager will be similarly happy to have Smith Rowe.

Emile Smith Rowe was the man to soften Martin Odegaard injury blow

Speaking on the ‘Wrighty’s House’ podcast, Ian Wright mentioned Smith Rowe’s name when reflecting on the disappointing 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United last weekend.

Wright mentioned that Arsenal were struggling without Martin Odegaard and thought Arteta was missing someone like Smith Rowe right now, who he decided to sell.

READ MORE: Chris Sutton thinks £50m star has been a serious ‘disappointment’ ever since he joined Arsenal

Wright said: “We’ve got no answer to Odegaard not being there at the minute. You look at…I’m pleased to see Emile Smith Rowe kind of doing well as well as that number 10, but they had to make a decision [to sell him].

“Same with Fabio Vieira – I don’t think it really worked out for him for some reason. When you look at Odegaard at the void that’s left, I’m not saying I’ll keep Emile Smith Rowe, because I don’t think he’s the same kind of player.

“But he plays in an area of the field where he gets on the ball, he creates, he tries to go forward – he does.

“And I think that we missed that the other day [vs Newcastle]. We was playing this like horseshoe football. We didn’t feel penetrative or dangerous at all.”

Smith Rowe was right to leave Arsenal for Fulham

On his part, Smith Rowe surely can’t have any regrets regarding his decision to cut ties with Arsenal.

On the periphery of things at the Emirates Stadium, the Hale End Academy graduate is now one of the first names on the team sheet playing alongside the likes of Alex Iwobi.

We’re only in November and Smith Rowe has already eclipsed the amount of minutes he played at Arsenal last season, even in less appearances.

Iwobi has been delighted by Smith Rowe at Craven Cottage, a player who’s already a fan favourite at his new club.

Perhaps the only surprise is the fact that Edu and Arteta allowed the midfielder to leave in the same period as Fabio Vieira, who went back on loan to FC Porto.

Given Arteta is still holding Ethan Nwaneri back slightly, Arsenal lack cover for Odegaard, who is thankfully now fit again.