Should we really sell Emile Smith-Rowe?
Last night’s game against Luton Town, Mikel Arteta was given the chance to play some of the squad who haven’t been getting minutes consistently. He was able to rotate his squad for the first time in a while and considering we have a heap of games coming up, all in one heap, it puts a bit of ease onto the starting eleven that Arteta has been constantly fielding for most of this season. With some players coming back from injury but also some players who just haven’t had minutes and had to sit and watch from the sidelines.
One of those players is Emile Smith Rowe. The midfielder is an academy graduate of the Arsenal Academy and has been brought up in the Arsenal environment since the age of 10 when he joined Arsenal’s Hale End Academy, breaking into the first team in 2018, before going out on loan to RB Leipzig and Huddersfield Town for some first team experience.
Smith Rowe came back in 2020 and was able to break through to the Arsenal first team. Mikel Arteta intrusted him with the number 10 shirt and gave him the shot to progress through the first team.
Until this season.
This season he hasn’t got as many minutes as I’m sure he would have hoped, and personally, I would have hoped. I see a lot of potential in Smith Rowe as I’m sure a lot of other Arsenal fans do and it’s been a bit of a shame that he hasn’t had many minutes this season. He was injured at the start of the season and took a while to get back into action. With the signings of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Jorginho and even Leandro Trossard, and them all having very good seasons so far, it’s been difficult for him to break back into the team.
Rumours have been circulating over the past couple of months that Arsenal would be willing to sell Smith Rowe in the summer and with the fact that if sold he would be a pure profit sale. Also it’s possible that if he himself wants to progress his football more, he will need to be playing more regular football, so it does make sense.
But, in the game against Luton Town last night, he came back with a bang and showed just how good of a player he is, so the question is, should we and will we regret selling him? I think so.
Maybe we can sort out some form of loan to a Premier League club to give him the opportunity to thrive and progress but with FFP regulations becoming so harsh, the money made of him would go a long way. But I do think we would regret it and he will go on to be a great player.
All is up in the air and the player clearly loves Arsenal but I’m sure he wants to play consistently, and I don’t think we can give that to him at this moment.
What’s your thoughts Gooners?
Daisy Mae
ADMIN COMMENT
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The problem ESR had was his regular injury. Even now you can’t bet on him. I like the player and I know many fans do too.
Arteta has reiterated his likeness for him severally. ESR has a chance next season if he can stay fit. Pathey is most likely going to be sold because of his injury concern and same for Jorginho who is ageing.That leaves space for ESR and SLokonga who is doing well at Luton. I think we shall see more of ESR because of many matches Arsenal is playing in April. Hope he stays fit. He shouldn’t be sold yet, at least till next season.
Arteta keep Smith Row as a squad player.
If Emile were to leave ‘for his own benefit’, then it would obviously also be to the benefit of the club he joins, which would be detrimental to Arsenal. If he leaves it should only be because he’s no longer needed here.
I’d like him to stay, and every effort should be made to convince Emile of his Arsenal future as a regular squad member and starter.
Keep! We need a big squad, he’s loyal and extremely talented. Not every player can play every minute, so if ESR sticks around and we manage his fitness he can allow our starting players (LW, RW, false9, CM, AM) rest time without expecting to play every match, and we’d know the level wouldn’t drop. If he was on massive wages I’d reconsider but he’s not and is unlikely to push for them.
Emile, was right back to his old form against Luton……pre injury. We have a crowded schedule ahead. I believe Emile will once again prove his potential.
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Emile, was right back to his old form against Luton……pre injury. We have a crowded schedule ahead. I believe Emile will once again prove his potential.
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We all like ESR and he’s a good player. He looked really good in the old Arsenal, but with players like Martinelli & Saka shining bright, and players like Jesus / Trossard / Havertz / Rice now on the team the bar has been raised. Unless he’s got in it him to go up another level, then he’s probably better-off elsewhere. It’s a genuine title-chasing team now.
He’s better than all these players you name except Rice and Odegaard and perhaps Martinelli. The prblem is Arteta who prefers others. They should let him go.
@Atagana
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Keep him, strength in depth with a lot of versatility.
Arteta said ESR was being brought back in carefully due to the nature of his latest injury.
A lot of ppl ignored that and shouted about Arteta not doing right by him (various wordings were used).
In the end, the club is best placed to know the ins and outs of his situation. They won’t make all the details public for a lot of reasons so imho the fans should just watch with interest and trust the club to do what’s best for the club.
And ESR is just the same as any other player, when dealing with him the management will do whatever is best for the club.
Right now, what’s his value? Any new club will see him as injury prone and want to pay a low price. If Arsenal decides to keep him it might be to avoid selling cheap. All sorts of factors in these decisions, fans don’t get to hear or see all of the factors so they cant really say much tbf.
Exactly! Just the way it is.
When he is fully match fit fans with a sound knowledge of the game will recognise that ESR is up there with Martinelli and Saka in terms of ability and effectiveness to change games our way.Our prime objective should be to do all we can go find a solution to his fitness problems to enable him to play for us on a regular basis.
Well said
Grandad, It used to be that he had such a poor diet at home, that Arsenal hired him his own personal chef. He certainly looks a lot leaner now, doesn’t he!
I am not sure I can agree with the “sound knowledge of the game” bit. Maybe it’s because I also don’t agree that ESR is at the level of Martinelli and Saka at this point. With a fully fit squad he goes on the bench.
Grandad, you hit the nail on the head. If ESR was sold, what would a replacement with his ability, versatility and potential ceiling cost in transfer fee and wages?
Did anyone see the interviews and MOTM trophy awarded after the game when he was speaking to Keown? While explaining how hard it has been watching everyone else do so well and not being able to participate, and now being able to play and how much it meant to him playing for the Arsenal in front of his family and fans.. You could see the tears were building up in his eyes and his voice almost went.
He’s a true gunner, and we just have to have a little more patience with him. I’m sure Arteta can see his potential (as can we all) but don’t rush it or we could end up ruining it.
Every top team has talent sitting on the bench! Look at cities bench and so on. Its up to the players to force there way into the squad and now he’s getting older, coming into his best days of football and he’s overcoming a couple of serious injuries it’s only right that he stays and fights his way into the team. Why would he just give up and leave for another club. Why would the club give up on him and sell him if the potential there and he wants to be here…
It’s down whether Arteta thinks he has a future at Arsenal. I’ve been teetering on the brink of allowing him to move on against hoping his injuries are a thing of the past
He played a very good game yesterday which must have helped his confidence. ESR is still young – certainly more so than Trossard who is pushing 30. I can’t see how he can’t fit into the team especially with European football this season and next and the addition of home trophies to play for
As others have said, he has needed careful management
We can’t afford to make the mistake of selling ESR. He is very talented, technically gifted. He has everything you need in a midfielder. He can give killer passes, he can dribble, he score with both feet, the only thing he was lacking before was aggressiveness which has improved on now, so he is as good as most of our players and even more gifted than matineli IMO. It is not that we should keep him, it is, we must keep him.
This is the year we get rid of Nketiah and buy a proper striker that will get the most minutes there, that frees up Jesus minutes for wings, Havertz minutes for midfield, and that would mean we have to decide what to do with ESR and Favio Vieira. Only one can stay and get minutes.
Overall, I see this season we selling 3-4 players, depending on who we get offers for, and get 1 ST along with few young players bought or promoted. Any one below can be sold if right offer comes.
Tierney
Lokonga
Tavares
Marquinhos
Ramsdale
Nketiah
Favio Vieira
ESR
Zinchenko
I think last night showed that ESR can contribute to the team; a well timed tackle led to a turn over that quickly resulted in a goal. His dribble in the box almost led to a goal for Nelson, but was an OG instead.
You can see the impact when he plays, so I would keep him; great impact sub, can rotate with Odegaard or Martinelli on the LW.
Compare that to Vieira, who struggles to have any impact. Nelson and Trossard far better on the wing, and he has been catastrophic when played in central midfield.
Vieira is easily the one I would sell, and in fact I would have Patino fill the void when Elneny leaves, and Vieira would be loaned to build value or sold outright to get any funds back.
I agree. Vieira needs to go first, and I’d rather just give that time to developing Nwaneri. Been a while since we’ve had a player like Vieira who has had zero impact on the team at all. Negative or positive. Often times I forget he’s even a player we have.
Durand, 👍
Keep ESR
Sell:
Eddie
Partey
Lokonga
Taveres
Nelson
Tierney
Zinchenko
Viera
Ramsdale
With the money + some cash from Stan we should get a striker, LB and DM
Whoever gets good offers, let go, and get a proper ST(Jesus will be backup RW), Jubimendi(8/6 with Rice), and few young talents:
Tierney
Lokonga
Tavares
Marquinhos
Partey
Nelson
Ramsdale
Nketiah
Favio Vieira
ESR
Zinchenko
Emile is going nowhere.
I really like ESR but if his injury troubles are considered an ongoing concern then he should be sold as he would represent ‘true profit’ being a home grown player.
He’ll only ever be a squad player. If he’s fine with that then I’m fine with him staying. I don’t think he has the technical ability Mikel desires on a CM role either and he’d play Kai there next season over ESR.
That Liverpool/Sheffield scoreline isn’t fooling me for a second. 🙄 Only a matter of time.
Liverpool 2 Sheffield 1 just as you said. But Arsenal is winning this league
We need to raise funds from somewhere, so surely an injury prone squad player would be first to go.
Am a fan so this is a bias reaction,please.No!. He played well yesterday, although he was tiring. Even then there were moments of play where he was getting himself into good positions and wasn’t being picked up by his team mates, particularly Partey who tends to look for Odegaard as his first go to. This is perhaps the problem. ESR and our captain tend to get into each other’s way as they have similar playing styles. I hope Arteta can find a way to fit them both in, although it could be a difficult order because he has certain preferences as to he prefers on the left.
Bro you said it all
Unless Arsenal is in real desperation to sell due to FFP, I feel we should give him more season. The young man is still on a mere 40k. We have seen Arsenal hang on to Nelson, Elneny, Cedric for an extra season than they deserve, so why not him.
For me a fit ESR is ahead of Viera as Ode’s back-up (hoping injuries are now finally behind him) – Seeing what Palmer doing at Chealsea, I feel ESR will definitely reach that level next season.
I believe Arteta is being patient and cautious with him due to his injury history. Once he is fully fit, he will be a regular.
This to me, was one of AW’s biggest problems, relying too much on injury prone players to maybe come good one day. Having a decent game here and there between stints on the physio table, doesn’t help us much. I don’t care how much of a “true gooner” the player may be. They’re getting paid to play and when they’ can’t do that, they’re of no use to the team. Jus sayin…
Actually we are currently not relying on ESR or any other player being managed to recovery, they do play their part but we are not “relying” on them.
@Vamos
Then it’s best we sell him. Because he’s being paid and unable to maintain fitness enough to be relied upon. Jus sayin
Good points. If he regains and maintains full fitness he can continue his development and again become a key player. At the moment he is still a bit part player and needs to demonstrate that he can deliver at a high level consistently.
ESR went from growing roots on the bench to MOTM.
A perfect super sub for us, can play in CM, on the wing, but best as a 10.
Why sell such a versatile and valuable player when Nketiah, Nelson, and Vieira are underperforming?
For those who are concerned about injuries and feel he should be sold;
I’m sure you are consistent and also feel that Jesus, Zinchenko, and Tomiyasu should also be sold due to injuries right?
Vieira should be packing his bags at this point, good try but simply not at the level we need.
Develop Patino rather than wasting time on the failed Vieira experiment.
@Durand
Ainsley Maitlan Niles went from growing roots on the bench, to MOTM. Dude was very versatile able to play RB/LB as well as midfield. Look who he’s playing for now. And he wasn’t injury prone…Jus sayin…
You make good points, and there is an argument that Arteta should have played him some at least. Who knows what may have been if given opportunities?
Nketiah had a TON of chances, yet never produced much. Imagine if AMN or other youngsters were given as much time and chances?
Point being, we should at least try to make use of player resources we have, otherwise we can waste money (like 34 million on Vieira) when there are already players in the squad who can do a job.
@Durand
Real talk…👍🏾
Obvious that Arteta doesn’t rate him
Another player he’s just washed his hands off
How is it “obvious that Arteta doesn’t rate him”? and why do you seriously think “he’s just washed his hands off him”?
So we need a goal at City ?
We need a goal either leg against Porto
At 1-1 with Brentford and Liverpool we need a goal
You want to know how much time Smith Rowe for off the bench ? ….. 0 !
Terrible players like Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah were coming on and he wasn’t
If a manager rates you , you bare minimum in an era where you can make 5 subs come on don’t you think ?
Those you listed are only under Mikel’s nurturing for now, to make them a better player sooner than expected, just what i will call his unique way of man management, watch it pay dividends and remember i told you this!
Whats that got to with what you asked ?
You asked how’s it obvious ?
Arteta has a very high success rate when “washing his hands” with players, so deserves only praise for those decisions.
ESR will never be a regular starter for Arsenal, so it only makes sense to cash, and cash in soon before the next injury.
High success rate ?
Pays Ozil to sit at home- finished 8th
Paid Auba to go to Barca and relies on Eddie Nketiah – finishes 5th
So Ozil didn’t fall out with every manager after Arteta, as well as with Arteta and Emery as well? And he was also a huge success on the pitch? Must be a different Ozil I guess.
Auba has been amazing since leaving us, especially when he was given another chance in the EPL.
Not sure if you’re aware, but Arteta hasn’t sold Nketiah. Maybe start watching the Arsenal before commenting seeing as you don’t even know who’s playing for us! Dear lord!!!
Says the person who didn’t know that Sanchez renaged on a verbal agreement for a new contract!! 🥴🥴
Dan, when did you say that MA had SOLD Nketiah, as I can’t find that statement on JA anywhere?
Perhaps it appears on THAT elusive website that no one could ever find? 😂😂
As for ESR, he’s stated that he will only leave The Arsenal if they want him to go – can’t find that scenario anywhere on the official website, in fact, MA has said he sees him as a Arsenal player.
Where did I say we sold him ?
I can’t find that statement on JA anywhere ?
Perhaps it appears on THAT elusive website that no one could ever find? 😂😂
Where did I say Eddie was sold
Maybe start reading before commenting
Dear lord lol
Learn how to construct a sentence then! Arteta is clearly doing a bad job as well! Hahahaha!!!
I’ll try again ….
Where have I wrote that Eddie Nketiah does not play for Arsenal ?
Or he’s been sold ?
Then can you show me where I said Arteta is doing a bad Job
( This isn’t going very well for you is it ? ) Lol
Jen, TMJW, Jumbo there’s that Hahahaha trademark again!!
So childish, but so obvious who it is.
You and Dan are the worst, sorry ken but your statements on Ozil alone over the years show up your bais and lack of knowledge.
Dan’s comments on Arteta over the last few years have been shocking!
One more time .. .where have I said in the comments to this article that Eddie Nketiah doesn’t play for Arsenal or Arteta is doing a bad job
Should see the comments Mr Wenger got !
What have I said thats shocking , that 8th and 5th is not good enough ( he’s said that himself )
That’s he’s done really good the last two seasons but we lack the mentality to get over the line ( not his fault we just have a young team )
And that hes paid allot of players to have contracts ripped up ( all factual )
Sorry that’s not what you want to hear
Jen, if I had the time and the inclination to show you what the world of football professionals said about Mesut Ozil, it would blow you out of the water – but you carry on thinking that you know better than, say, Mourinho, Klopp, Pep, Wenger or Arteta, Cazorla, Gibbs, Ronaldo… the list goes on and on.
Of course you THINK you know better than all the above, so I won’t bother, unless you want me too?
Perhaps Auba might have had a career at Arsenal if he could have obeyed at least one of the non negotiables. I am guessing that may have been turning up for work on time.
Dan, it is very “old hat” of me to mention that or the fact that Ozil clearly didn’t have the capacity to fulfil what was required by Arteta, and then got busy worrying about the future of the club mascot.
You trot out the old 8th and 5th as if Ozil or Auba could have returned us to fighting for the league. Neither of them had the interest in doing so.
Eddie may not be quite good enough but I can’t fault the guy for trying
SueP, I thought MA did think Aubameyang had a career at The Arsenal – isn’t that why he offered him a four year new contract at a reported £300,000 a week?
As for Ozil, perhaps the salary HE was on, the fact that he wasn’t prepared to take a pay cut until he knew where the money was going, along with the agreed point that he couldn’t play the way MA wanted, played a part in seeing him put on gardening leave, while paying his full salary?
As for having no interest in fighting for the league, Ozil kept himself fit, turned up every day and made himself available for selection if MA wanted him – as Mikel himself has said.
Neither has Ozil ever had a bad word to say about MA or the club – something that Aubameyang can’t say.
As for 8th 8th and 5th – it’s part of our history… a part that Ozil wasn’t involved in after the coronavirus ended.
Ozil also has done more then any current Arsenal player
He also finished 2nd in the league and finished top 4 but Wenger was told that wasn’t good enough
Now we ……see that as a success
I didn’t trot out 5th and 8th
It was described as Success
I was just pointing out that 5th and 8th were not success
You can’t knock Ozil and Auba and in the same breath defend Eddie Nketiah lol
No context at all with your statements on our finishing positions!
Giving away Auba and not getting a replacement?
Laccazette scoring 0 goals in his place?
Eddie getting I think 4 ?
That has zero context to us finishing 5th
Always rated the player but the man who counts obviously doesn’t. Ask ESR if he wants to remain a bench player who comes off the bench in low level matches? I’m sure his answer will be no, in which case move on, tbh I thought he would move last summer or at least in January. A team like Newcastle would probably be interested seeing that they may lose Guimaraes, Pep is reportedly very interested.
If Elneny has stuck around then I would rather ESR stayed
Not an issue as I seriously doubt that he will want to leave. ESR is a true Gunner and will want stay, fight for a place and win some trophies for the club.
I’d say that Emile has “arrived” at just the right time, to give us something special in the last few games. He’s going to make a big difference in how we rotate, make first-choice picks, and even use the bench during games. A player of his quality becoming available late in the season is going to be so significant.
And to stay on topic (please note admin), yes, of course we should keep him.
Are we mad even considering selling such a talent?
‘arrived’
He will barely start another game.
🙄