Emile Smith Rowe will face his former team, Arsenal, for the first time this weekend since leaving the club in the last transfer window. The 24-year-old had been with the Gunners for 14 years before making the permanent switch to Fulham in the summer. Arsenal had hoped to keep Smith Rowe, but after persistent injuries and a loss of his place in the first team, he made the decision to move on. His departure was largely due to his reduced role at the club, with Mikel Arteta unable to guarantee him regular playing time.
Injuries had disrupted Smith Rowe’s progress at Arsenal, and despite showing flashes of potential, he often found himself behind the likes of Martin Odegaard in the pecking order. When Odegaard was sidelined for two months with an injury, it could have provided an opportunity for Smith Rowe, but the lack of guarantees over his role in the team made it clear that he needed a fresh start. Moving to Fulham allowed him the chance to play regularly, something that was becoming increasingly difficult at the Emirates.
Ahead of the game against Arsenal, Smith Rowe reflected on what it would mean to play against his former club. He shared his thoughts with Fulham’s media team, saying, “It’s a massive game for me personally. At the start of the season, I’ve always been thinking about playing against my former team. It’s going to be an exciting game. It’s going to be a bit weird, knowing the players for so long, and having been there for so much of my life, so it probably is going to be a bit of an emotional day. But I have to make sure I do the job for Fulham.”
While Smith Rowe could have been a valuable asset for Arsenal this season, it’s clear that moving to Fulham has allowed him to regain his form and confidence. It’s great to see him enjoying his football again and continuing to develop as a player.
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Footballers are somewhat mercenaries.
Do your job, Ball Smith.
Play well and cause some debate here.
Not that I wish you win anyways.
Unfortunately your talent was wasted at Arsenal sadly.
And Fulham’s gain is our loss. And while I hope you do well in your Fulham career.
I hope today, you won’t come back and bite us.
No one wasted Smith-Rowe’s talents in Arsenal, he was just unfortunate with injuries. Even if he scores against us today, that’s the business, isn’t that the beauty of the game? How did you feel when Havertz scored against Chelsea last season?
I’ll have to disagree with you there Angelo.
Yes Smith Row had his share of injury’s while at the club.
But when he had a period where he was fit and available for selection, time and again Arteta would prefer to use Viera from the bench ahead of Smith Row.
What a short memory Arteta had concerning Smith Row, I believe in Arteta’s first full season, Smith Row scored around 10 goals along with a few assists, (my apologies’ if I’m wrong).
But he produced consistent performance’s along side a certain Saka.
But then for whatever reason, Arteta would constantly say when questioned about the availability of Smith Row, his standard answer was, yes he’s progressing well and he needs minutes to get him up to speed.
Well correct me if I’m wrong, but being benched constantly, and being overlooked in preference to Viera wasn’t exactly giving minutes to Smith Row was it.
And I stand by my wasted talent comment, because I believe he was wasted, especially when compared to Viera.
I came to terms that it’s only funs who have loyalty to the team. Players switch clubs, coaches and managers do the same, owners sell off,the executive does the same so big up to the funs for your loyalty.