Arsenal have a busy summer ahead of them as Edu and Mikel Arteta look to bolster their ranks ahead of a big 2024/25 campaign.
The Gunners are likely to have numerous outgoings alongside potential incomings, with several players facing uncertain futures.
Now, one “exceptional” Arsenal player is reportedly being targeted by a team that was in the Premier League just last season.
The player in question is Emile Smith Rowe and, according to Football Transfers, Luton Town want to sign him on loan.
Smith Rowe has come through the ranks at Arsenal and has made 115 competitive appearances for the Gunners.
However, the Arsenal talent has struggled for game time of late, and there’s a good chance he may move away in the summer, either temporarily or permanently.
Luton, who were relegated from the Premier League on the final day of last season, will be eager to make an immediate return from the Championship.
The Hatters are reportedly eyeing Smith Rowe as a replacement for Ross Barkley, who is set to re-sign for Aston Villa.
What has Rob Edwards said about Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe?
Edwards, speaking after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Luton in April, had kind words to say about Smith Rowe.
“He’s a really good player,” he said, as per Football Transfers.
“I was lucky enough, he probably won’t remember, but I did a few England camps with him at the Under-20s when I was at the FA, and I thought he was outstanding.
“We played Portugal. We won 4-0 in Portugal [in 2019] and I thought he was brilliant and I’ve always been a big admirer of his.
“I thought he was really good. He’s a top player. They’ve got a lot of top players here and he’s just been unfortunate not to get in but I think he’s an exceptional player.”
Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe should aim higher
It’s nice to hear that Luton want to sign Smith Rowe in pursuit of an immediate return to the Premier League.
However, Smith Rowe has already proven himself in the top flight, and for one of the strongest teams in the league.
A player of his calibre could certainly do a great job at a Premier League pushing for Europe, rather than dropping down to the second tier.
In addition, a loan move just adds more uncertainty to Smith Rowe’s future.
At this point in his career, if Arsenal aren’t going to give him much game time, he’d be better off making a fresh start elsewhere, with a four or five-year contract.
Smith Rowe should aim to make a real name for himself in the Premier League and potentially aim for England’s World Cup 2026 squad.