Arsenal drew 1-1 with AFC Bournemouth in their opening pre-season friendly of their USA tour, but there was one notable absence.
Fabio Vieira gave Arsenal the lead with an excellent volley, but Antoine Semenyo equalised in the second half, with Mikel Arteta’s side then winning the resulting penalty shootout.
Emile Smith Rowe was nowhere to be seen, and it emerged shortly before the game that an exit is close to being secured as a move to Fulham nears agreement.
Speaking after the game, Arteta lifted the lid on Smith Rowe’s situation at Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta explains why Emile Smith Rowe missed Arsenal friendly
Speaking after the game, Arteta confirmed that Smith Rowe’s ongoing transfer negotiations meant that he was left out of the side to face Bournemouth.
“Yeah, there are things happening in the background at the moment and we decided the best thing to do was to keep him away from the game today,” he stated.
Smith Rowe scored as Arsenal beat Leyton Orient in a behind-closed-doors friendly just before flying out to Los Angeles, and he is still with the squad, but a move appears to be close.
Emile Smith Rowe closes in on record Arsenal transfer to Fulham
David Ornstein revealed that Smith Rowe is closing in on a move to Fulham which could total £35m, and this would see the Hale End graduate depart the club permanently.
“Fulham close to reaching agreement with Arsenal to sign Emile Smith Rowe. Talks over move worth up to £35m; would be record recruit for Fulham and match biggest Arsenal sale. If deal struck 23yo expected to do medical and finalise terms,” he posted on X.
Once a deal is agreed, Smith Rowe will say his goodbyes to the Arsenal squad before completing a medical and linking up with Fulham, who will face Benfica in Lisbon in a friendly next week.
There was also an update on Arsenal’s interest in Riccardo Calafiori, whilst there was debate over the roles academy starlet Ethan Nwaneri could play in pre-season.
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