Mikel Arteta stance on Emile Smith Rowe now revealed as Arsenal set to reject £35m transfer bid

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Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe is wanted by Fulham and Crystal Palace, but signing him will not be easy.

Smith Rowe has made just three Premier League starts for Arsenal in the last two seasons, after falling down the pecking order as a result of several big injuries, but is still a popular player at the club.

The 23-year-old broke into the team alongside Bukayo Saka, and he arguably saved Mikel Arteta’s job when the Spaniard hit his lowest point in charge of Arsenal in December 2020.

When Smith Rowe was last a regular starter, he hit 10 Premier League goals in 2021-22, but he now needs regular football.

Arsenal have already rejected a bid from Fulham for the England International, and Crystal Palace are now preparing an offer for him. However, Arteta now wants to keep Smith Rowe at the club.

Mikel Arteta wants to keep Emile Smith Rowe at Arsenal

The Guardian have now reported that Crystal Palace are preparing a £35m bid for Smith Rowe, but this offer will be instantly rejected by Arsenal because of Arteta’s desire to keep him.

“Mikel Arteta is understood to want to keep Smith Rowe despite using him sparingly last season,” they revealed.

Smith Rowe is expected to travel to the USA on pre-season tour with the rest of the squad on July 21st, but his future remains far from clear. He does need to play regularly, but perhaps Arteta is unwilling to let him go just yet.

Mikel Arteta needs to make fair decision over Emile Smith Rowe

Arsenal fans would love nothing more than for Smith Rowe to stay, be given regular opportunities and find his best form at the club again.

However, with a new midfielder targeted, and Mikel Merino linked, he will fall further down the pecking order in that position, whilst a new winger is also desired.

The reality for Smith Rowe is that he may not play much unless Arteta shows huge faith in him after pre-season.

Arteta may wish to keep Smith Rowe, but he may need to make an unpleasant decision. If he is not going to play regularly, his value and form will rapidly decline, when there are significant offers on the table this summer.

Arsenal either need to promise Smith Rowe significant minutes, or allow him to leave. If he stays on the bench for another season, they will rue the missed opportunity to make a potential club-record sale, which would give a massive boost in terms of PSR, and allow the player to revive his career rather than stagnate for one more year.