‘Really sad’ – Mikel Arteta pays emotional tribute to Emile Smith Rowe after ‘not getting the best out of him’ at Arsenal before Fulham departure

Emile Smith Rowe left Arsenal to join Fulham, and Mikel Arteta said he did not “get the best” out of him.

Smith Rowe joined Fulham after leaving Arsenal.
was not able to establish himself as a Gunners regular starter.
Arteta was sorry to see the midfield player go.

Consequently, what happened?
Despite joining the Arsenal academy at the age of 10, Smith Rowe was unable to establish himself as a consistent starter for the north London team. Instead, he chose to stay with Fulham and completed a transfer to Craven Cottage for a rumoured sum of up to £34 million ($44 million).

THE LARGER IMAGE
Arsenal finished second in the table behind Manchester City with Smith Rowe playing just 13 times in the Premier League. Arteta acknowledges that he felt obligated to give Smith Rowe an opportunity to shine, but the club ultimately chose to cash in on him.

ARTETA’S QUOTES
“It makes me sad to say goodbye to Smith Rowe,” he replied when asked. I felt it strongly when Emile and I had our conversation. First and foremost, I am incredibly grateful that he joined the team during a difficult time. In a way, I believe he was the player that brought our fans and the team together. That was how I felt, and I’m not sure how to put it. When he joined the squad, something was different. He immediately generated a different energy. Furthermore, I feel as though I haven’t gotten the best performance out of him. Needless to say, a lot happened throughout that period. I felt a great duty to give those lads an opportunity because I know how they feel in that facility and how hard everyone works to get them close to the first squad. That’s why I found it so heartbreaking. Can they maintain this level going forward and improve us? That’s the concept.

FUTURE ACTIONS FOR SMITH ROWE?
In Fulham’s opening Premier League match of the season, a 1-0 loss to Manchester United, the 24-year-old was on the pitch for the first 64 minutes. When they play Leicester on Saturday, he’ll probably be involved once more.

ARTETA’S QUOTES
“It makes me sad to say goodbye to Smith Rowe,” he replied when asked. I felt it strongly when Emile and I had our conversation. First and foremost, I am incredibly grateful that he joined the team during a difficult time. In a way, I believe he was the player that brought our fans and the team together. That was how I felt, and I’m not sure how to put it. When he joined the squad, something was different. He immediately generated a different energy. Furthermore, I feel as though I haven’t gotten the best performance out of him. Needless to say, a lot happened throughout that period. I felt a great duty to give those lads an opportunity because I know how they feel in that facility and how hard everyone works to get them close to the first squad. That’s why I found it so heartbreaking. Can they maintain this level going forward and improve us? That’s the concept.

FUTURE ACTIONS FOR SMITH ROWE?
In Fulham’s opening Premier League match of the season, a 1-0 loss to Manchester United, the 24-year-old was on the pitch for the first 64 minutes. When they play Leicester on Saturday, he’ll probably be involved once more.