'Outstanding': Roy Keane says player Arsenal sold this summer was once so 'exciting to watch'

Roy Keane believes Emile Smith Rowe’s decision to swap Fulham for Arsenal was the best move for all parties involved.

The 24-year-old made the tough decision to leave his boyhood club earlier this summer as he joined Marco Silva’s side for a fee believed to be in the region of £34m.

Fulham smashed their transfer record to sign Smith Rowe and the midfielder made his competitive debut for his new club in the 1-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester United on Friday night.

And now, Roy Keane believes the Englishman is at the right club to fulfil his true potential.

Roy Keane discusess Emile Smith Rowe’s Fulham move

Keane believes Fulham will provide Smith Rowe with the ideal environment to return to his best as he struggled for game time at Arsenal last season.

He played just 20 times in all competitions for the Gunners and failed to score a goal, representing a lacklustre season by his standards.

“He lost his way the last year or two, got one or two injuries, and obviously Arsenal were really strong in the last 12 months,” Keane said on Sky Sports Football ahead of Manchester United vs Fulham.

“He couldn’t get back into the team, but two or three years ago he was really outstanding, he got into the England squad, he was a goal threat, he was exciting to watch, and it seems like a good fit for the player and the club.”

Were Arsenal right to offload Smith Rowe?

Smith Rowe made 115 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal since his debut in 2018. Although he burst onto the scene as one of the most exciting talents in the Premier League, his progression was derailed due to a series of injuries.

The 24-year-old had productive loan spells at Huddersfield Town and RB Leipzig but decided this summer was the right time to move on in search of regular game time as he looks to get his career back on track.

Arsenal, for their part, received a fee of £34m for a player who was never an indispensable asset for Mikel Arteta.

As for Smith Rowe, he’d get regular game time in the Premier League at Fulham under an exciting manager in Marco Silva, making it a win-win situation.

What next for Arsenal in the transfer market?

The Gunners are yet to sign a like-for-like replacement for Smith Rowe but are in talks to sign a midfielder, with Riccardo Calafiori their only incoming so far this summer.

Mikel Merino is believed to be edging closer to a move to Arsenal, while there have also been talks that they could move for an attacker if the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson leave.

Paul Merson feels Arsenal should sign Alexander Isak to win the Premier League, but Newcastle United are unlikely to part with one of their best players so late in the transfer window.

One thing is for sure – Arsenal are not done yet in the transfer market as we edge closer to deadline day.

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