Mikel Arteta’s stance on Arsenal selling Emile Smith Rowe revealed

Arsenal have rejected two bids for the midfielder this month.

Jul 20, 2024 - 20:00
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Mikel Arteta’s stance on Arsenal selling Emile Smith Rowe revealed
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta speaks with Arsenal's English midfielder Emile Smith Rowe speak together at the end of the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at The City Ground in Nottingham, central England, on January 30, 2024. Arsenal wins 2 - 1 against Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Arteta wants Emile Smith Rowe to stay at Arsenal this summer (AFP via Getty)

Mikel Arteta is keen to keep Emile Smith Rowe at Arsenal this summer following interest from Fulham and Crystal Palace, according to reports.

Arsenal have already turned down offers from Fulham and Palace this month but both clubs are expected to return with improved bids.

Fulham’s latest bid of £30 million was rejected by Arsenal, while Palace set to submit a proposal worth £35m plus add-ons for the 23-year-old.

Arsenal face a tough decision over Smith Rowe’s sale as the midfielder has shown plenty of potential since his first-team breakthrough in 2018 but struggled to secure a regular role under Arteta last season.

But despite his lack of minutes for Arsenal, The Guardian reports that Arteta does not want to see Smith Rowe leave the Gunners this summer.

Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on July 16, 2024 in London Colney, England
Emile Smith Rowe has attracted interest from Fulham and Crystal Palace (Getty)

Smith Rowe was restricted to just 14 appearances in the 2022/23 campaign due to a groin injury, while last season, he started just three games in the Premier League. Over the last two seasons, he has played a combined total of 508 minutes in the top flight.

The midfielder is now looking to play regularly, while his sale would represent a major boost to Arsenal’s Profit and Sustainability margins given that the sale of academy players as registered as pure profit in the club’s accounts.

Speaking last month, former Arsenal captain Tony Adams described Smith Rowe’s progression as ‘stagnant and suggested the midfielder should look to leave this summer.

‘When you have the games won, it’s 2-0 after 70 minutes, get him [Bukayo Saka] off. Get Smith Rowe on to develop him,’ Adams told Sky Sports.

‘I think they have gone a bit stagnant.

‘Both [Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah], if I was them, I would be looking to move. Arteta needs to work with them and give them more time. But that depends if we get another centre forward.

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