Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has now given his verdict on one recent deal that Mikel Arteta made.
Arsenal have not been the busiest club in the transfer window so far this summer, but they have completed a few notable deals.
The Gunners signed goalkeeper David Raya on a permanent basis, before adding Riccardo Calafiori to Mikel Arteta’s squad.
In terms of outgoings, Emile Smith Rowe bade an emotional farewell to the Emirates Stadium. Having been on the club’s books since the age of ten, many will have been sad to see the Hale End academy graduate go.
Smith Rowe joined Fulham in a £34 million deal. Whilst he will always be fondly thought of at Arsenal, this was the right move for the 24-year-old midfielder to make at this stage in his career.
The 3-cap England international needs to be playing regular football, and wouldn’t have been afforded such regular game time at Arsenal, where he has spent the last two seasons on the fringes of Arteta’s squad.
Many Arsenal stars sent messages to Smith Rowe upon his departure, but Ray Parlour thinks that the player is leaving with a point still to prove to the Gunners.
Arsenal icon Ray Parlour gives verdict on Emile Smith Rowe exit
Parlour is an Arsenal legend. The former midfielder made 466 appearances for the Gunners between 1992 and 2004. In that time, he won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, amongst other honours.
However, he was a player who constantly had to prove himself, and was often underrated or overshadowed by higher profile teammates.
Parlour now wants to see Smith Rowe prove his doubters, and Arteta himself, wrong.
Speaking to The Sun (print edition, page 56, 04/08/2024), the 51-year-old said: “The deal is great for both parties. Fulham are getting an excellent player and Smith Rowe has a good opportunity to prove Arteta wrong. If he puts his head down, stays fit, works hard and gets back into that form he showed at Arsenal, he could be pushing back into England’s squad.”
Arsenal deserve credit for Smith Rowe sale
Whilst there is an argument that Smith Rowe still had something to offer at Arsenal, sporting director Edu was still able to fetch a decent fee for the player. This has not always been the Gunners’ strong suit in the market, but this represents a step in the right direction when it comes to outgoing business.
The Gunners now need to reinvest those funds, as they are currently light on options in the middle of the park. Smith Rowe’s sale could pay for Mikel Merino, who is a top target for Arteta.
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