Former Aston Villa player Gabby Agbonlahor believes that it may be time for Emile Smith Rowe to consider leaving Arsenal, as the midfielder is currently facing challenges in getting regular playing time for the club.
Smith Rowe has been an important figure at the Emirates, but injuries have hindered his ability to secure a consistent place in the team. Additionally, Arsenal has made several midfield signings in his absence, further complicating his prospects for playing time.
Despite these challenges, Smith Rowe remains determined and patient, waiting for his opportunity to contribute to the club. However, Agbonlahor is finding it difficult to envision a scenario where Smith Rowe will have significant playing time at Arsenal and suggests that a move away from the club might be in his best interest. West Ham is reportedly monitoring his situation, but the final decision rests with the player and the club.
Agbonlahor tells Football Insider:
“100%. I really like him.
“It sometimes comes to a point where you love your club but you have to leave.
“I think Smith Rowe is now at that point.
“When the manager pays £60million for Kai Havertz, he’s going to get chance after chance. Not deservedly, but he will.
“There’s Vieira in there as well, so I don’t think Smith Rowe will get the minutes.
“I think he should leave. It’s a big time in his career.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Smith Rowe has been in fine form for us in the last few seasons and the midfielder is unlucky to have suffered so many injuries.
Agbonlahor is right; it could be hard for him to get chances again and he probably should leave.
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ESR should leave in January. His agents should already be working on a transfer by now. I’ll be surprised if that weren’t the case
One unique trait about the Arsenal DNA is that we hardly sell our Hale-End Graduates who have broken into the first team and established themselves. When was the last time we should an Hale-Ender? We’d have to go back as far as Alex Iwobi in 2019; and that still hurts because Iwobi would have excelled in this team with the way Arteta likes to play.
So the idea of ESR leaving for West Ham is not going to happen. That much I can guarantee you, especially when Arteta has consistently assured ESR of His plans for the talented Englishman.
Lemme ask a question: between ESR and Eddie Nketiah, who’d you rate more? Now if Arteta tried everything to keep Nketiah when his contract was practically running out, what makes you think he’d let ESR leave?
Like or not, that Arsenal midfield is ESR -Declan Rice – Martin Ødegaard.
ESR is built for the half-spaces whether in the midfield three or playing on the left. And the last can definitely play as a false-9 too!
Actually we just sold Balogun who’s been at Arsenal since he was 8 years old. Also Willock was sold before that.
And Reiss Nelson too, tbh.
I think the club should actively be looking to sell the duo off and invest in other areas of the pitch.
At least, the club is quite well stocked in the home-grown front for now.
CM, Arteta obviously doesn’t want to select both ESR and Nelson, believing that other options are better. A waste of two very good players and resources. ESR has been available injury free since playing for England’s U23’s winning Euros team. When you’re on the outer with Arteta, your Arsenal career is over.
West Ham or Aston Villa would be good destinations for both. Arteta can use the transfer funds received to buy players, he believes improve the team and he would be prepared to play.
Season has just started & only 8 games played. I think ESR will get to play more minutes as the season progresses
There’s no need for the dual to leave, for sure the league has just started, we’re chasing four trophies(EPL, Champions league, FA and Carabao Cup. We already bagged one trophy.
So Mr. Martin the dual are going no where, remember they have signed new contracts and I don’t think we will let them go on a cheap transfer fee.
He bought Viera for 35m who’s no better but prefers to play him even though Viera hasn’t got what it takes to play in the EPL
I think S Rowe is probably the only one who could come in for Odegaard and have a similar goal threat. If Ode pulls up we would appreciate a fit and firing ESR
This comment fron Agbonlahor does nt surprise me a bit. It is a well known fact that his former team, Villa, has been courting EsR for years.
Also by selling EsR it would make our team weaker wrt depth which i think is Agbonlahor’s ulterior motive.
I further believe EsR lack of playing time has been exacerbated by Timber’s injury. Hypothetically speaking i think the coach wanted the 2 to play together in an inverted RIGHTBACK formation with Partey & Rice as double pivots & EsR in the place of Odegaardt.
Finally i believe EsR, Nkethia, Nelson & White won’t be sold anytime soon as they bring the English connection & pride to the club.
I believe Arteta doesn’t hate any Arsenal player, he probably thinks they aren’t starters,besides no coach totally decides who plays without advice from assistants,
Trossard started and wasn’t effective, Havertz subbed and improved,
Smith-rowe will play,I remember Martineli ‘s injury, he was gradually introduced back, we all know Smith-rowe couldn’t have done better than Jesus, Martineli or Rice against city, so let’s stop the complain.
We all know Smith-Rowe could have done better than havertz s as all 8 games so let people make claim for rotation. I want to see ESR before havertz any time the clock is not on 85 min
At the end of the day a player has a short career and must do what is best for him. If he’s going to be a bit part player at Arsenal he needs to move on. The problem is he’s under contract until 2026, a contract I’m sure he’s regretting signing.
How can you be so SURE ESR is regretting signing such a contract. You can ONLY assume.
I’d prefer that ESR stay, however, I would not blame him if he put in a transfer request, the player is too good to be denied playing time be it starting or coming on from the bench. If I was him I’d move on, especially after watching the performance of the players who started before him.