Emile Smith Rowe has now reunited with fellow former Arsenal players Alex Iwobi and Bernd Leno at Fulham.
Having been on the books at Arsenal since the age of ten, Emile Smith Rowe has now left the North London club, but remains in the capital city having signed for Fulham.
Mikel Arteta has already admitted that he was sad to see the Hale End academy graduate go, and many Arsenal fans will have been saddened by his departure too. Declan Rice has confessed he will miss Smith Rowe, as have several other Arsenal stars.
However, as painful a decision as it will have been, Smith Rowe was right to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer. At this stage in his career, he needs to be starting matches regularly and was not going to get that kind of game time with the Gunners.
The 3-cap England international will a stand a great chance of making himself a star for the West London outfit. Arsenal now need to choose his successor for the No. 10 shirt, with club captain Martin Odegaard considered the most likely candidate to take on the famous squad number.
Meanwhile, Craven Cottage has become a popular destination for former Arsenal stars to go and get their careers back on track. Willian rehabilitated his reputation with a spell at Fulham after his disastrous Arsenal stint.
Now, Smith Rowe will be joining ex-Arsenal duo Alex Iwobi and Bernd Leno at Fulham.
Former Arsenal stars Alex Iwobi and Bernd Leno welcome Emile Smith Rowe
In behind the scenes footage posted to the official Fulham YouTube channel, Smith Rowe could be seen undergoing his Fulham medical.
During this process, both Iwobi and Leno visited the midfielder in order to welcome him to the club. They both seemed pleased to see Smith Rowe, who they will know well from their shared time at Arsenal.
Like Smith Rowe, Iwobi came through the Gunners’ academy system. He left in 2019, just prior to Arteta’s arrival, and before Smith Rowe really cemented himself at first team level, but he will still have worked with the new Fulham signing.
Meanwhile, German goalkeeper Leno only left Arsenal in the summer of 2022, and regularly shared the pitch with Smith Rowe.
Arsenal must make more sales
The Gunners need to raise funds this summer and clear room in their squad for new arrivals. Eddie Nketiah could soon leave Arsenal, with a switch to Marseille now close. Reiss Nelson may also be sold.
Sporting director Edu must ensure that the Gunners get the best out of every deal, and needs to find suitors for a number of players.
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