Emile Smith Rowe made his Premier League debut for Fulham against Manchester United on Friday night.
Arsenal fans were eager to watch the impact that Smith Rowe could have against Manchester United during his competitive debut for Fulham.
The Hale End graduate devastatingly parted ways with his boyhood club this summer following several seasons with limited game time.
While many were pained by the sight of the 24-year-old’s departure, it was a necessary move for the midfielder’s career path.
Roy Keane states why Emile Smith Rowe left Arsenal
Whilst covering Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Fulham, Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane took some time to evaluate Smith Rowe.
The former United defender pinpointed what led the Englishman’s Arsenal career to a point of no return prior to his transfer to Fulham.
“I think he’s a good signing from Arsenal because he lost his way over the last year or two,” Keane explained.
“One or two injuries and obviously Arsenal have been really strong over the last 12 months so he couldn’t get back in the team.”
The pundit went on to recognise the potential that the Londoner has shown over his career, emphasising the importance of Smith Rowe’s fitness when discussing his next steps.
“Two or three years ago he was really outstanding, got in the England squad, was a goal threat, was exciting to watch and on paper it looks like a good signing.
“It’s the fitness, can he play week in week out because he’s had a difficult spell not playing regularly at Arsenal, that’ll be a test for him.”
Arsenal will hope to see Smith Rowe shine at Fulham
The lifelong Arsenal supporter in Smith Rowe would have been devastated to lose to Manchester United on the opening day, as Joshua Zirkzee netted the only goal of the game in the 87th minute.
Arsenal fans reacted to Smith Rowe’s debut for Fulham in the Premier League, with the majority wanting to see the Englishman return to his best after a difficult few years.
After recording a real breakthrough in the 2021/22 Premier League campaign, where the 24-year-old netted 10 league goals for Arsenal, Smith Rowe’s trajectory in North London took a devastating turn.
Following on from that season, the midfielder only managed to secure a further three league starts for the Gunners, as an injury tainted 2022/23 calendar derailed his plans of becoming an Arsenal great.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Smith Rowe, who now has a fantastic chance to get himself back on track at Fulham, with his display against Manchester United only the beginning.
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