Emile Smith Rowe’s rise through the Arsenal academy ranks to the top was nothing short of brilliant, but that journey with the Gunners came to an end in 2024.
After two campaigns of difficulty when it came to minutes, the forward took the step to leave on a permanent deal.
In the end, Emile Smith Rowe joined Fulham and made something of an instant impact with the fellow London outfit.
Many had questioned whether Arsenal made a mistake in letting the Hale End academy graduate leave, not least when injuries were running rampant through the side.
However, in the months that have followed, Smith Rowe has had his own troubles in making a sustained impact at Fulham.
Marco Silva recently called for more consistency from Smith Rowe as his side eyes up a European finish this season.
His recent struggles have harked back to some advice that Mikel Arteta gave not too long before the star left Arsenal.
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The advice Mikel Arteta gave Emile Smith Rowe before Arsenal exit
As Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has overseen plenty of players coming and going for plenty of different reasons.
Very few have had the sentimental value that Smith Rowe had when he left, though, not least given what he offered the current club regime after a difficult start.
When the forward left, he had struggled for two years after injuries and form left him out of the side on a regular basis.
Arteta wanted him to use that to fuel him, though, stating in April 2024: “I look at him and what happened over the last two seasons, especially, but what happened three seasons [ago] as well, [and say] take all that.
“It’s the best thing that could have happened for him in his career; if you use it the right way now. Don’t look back and say, ‘If, if.’ No, this happened, use it.
“That was the best thing that could have happened. I had great moments, I had difficult moments. Now I know what I want and how to deal with that. That’s going to make me a much better player.
“And you could see the hell of a player that we have in him when he’s fit and he’s playing at that level.”
Now, after another difficult season of ups and downs, Smith Rowe faces a similar challenge in front of him.
He must use those difficulties experienced to get himself into a position where he is able to produce more consistent output.
Do Arsenal have a buyback clause for Emile Smith Rowe?
One thing that has been questioned is whether Smith Rowe could make a return to Arsenal one day in the future.
As it stands, that seems unlikely as Arsenal don’t have a buyback clause for Smith Rowe inserted into the deal.
The forward is a permanent Fulham player, who will be looking to build on a first campaign with the Cottagers that has been full of highs and lows.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | 5 | 2 |
Smith Rowe does have a sell-on clause in his deal from Arsenal, though, that could see the Gunners bag a little more profit if he were to move on.
It remains to be seen if that will happen, but there’s plenty more growth ahead for him at Fulham.
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