Emile Smith Rowe has been in the headlines this week amid reports that Arsenal could sell the attacking midfielder with Fulham and Crystal Palace interested.
The Cottagers have reportedly made the England international their priority target this summer, with Arsenal now in a position where they must decide what to do with Smith Rowe having hardly played in the last two seasons.
At just 23-years-old, Smith Rowe could still have a future at Arsenal if the Hale End graduate can convince Mikel Arteta he can make an impact with the Gunners next season, where the north London side will be aiming for the Premier League title.
Arsenal Insider writers sat down to discuss what’s next for Smith Rowe this summer.
Will Jones – ‘He needs regular game time’
As sad as it is, the time has come for Arsenal to part with Emile Smith Rowe, if an acceptable offer arrives for him this summer.
He needs regular game time and some patience afforded to him in order to get back to his best level. Given the standard at the top end of the Premier League, and the minute margin of error that Mikel Arteta is working with, the Gunners cannot give Smith Rowe the time and opportunities required.
As a Hale End academy graduate, the midfielder would represent pure profit if he were to be moved on, which would help Edu to balance the books this summer.
Rahul Lakhani – ‘The time to cash in is now’
A year ago, I would not have even remotely entertained the idea of selling Smith Rowe, not least to a Premier League rival. When he was at his best, he was on a par with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in the team.
Unfortunately, the reality is that he now has to move on. He has not recovered from his injury issues in the way that he would have liked, and he has hardly featured for two years.
His value will only further decrease if he is to be on the bench for another campaign, and with Arteta looking to add to his midfield and attacking options, it seems unlikely that the Englishman will be a starter any time soon. The time to cash in is now.
Dylan Walsh – ‘This summer is the perfect opportunity to sell’
Smith Rowe has established himself as a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium since breaking into Arteta’s senior squad in the 2020/21 season, yet the youngster’s career just hasn’t gone to plan.
Whilst the following campaign was quite the year for Smith Rowe that rightly led to an England call-up, the 23-year-old’s form and fitness issues have been a real issue for the Gunners, with Arteta hardly selecting the attacking midfielder when fit this year.
As much as it pains Arsenal fans, this summer is the perfect opportunity to sell Smith Rowe for good, who can go elsewhere in the Premier League to forge his career and to make a name for himself away from north London, where he will be missed.