Having left boyhood club Arsenal over the summer, Emile Smith Rowe is on track to have his most productive ever season as senior player. With Mikel Arteta’s side lacking in midfield at the same time, there is a sense of irony that one of their own is flourishing in south London.
Smith Rowe, who earned the Gunners £34million with his move to Fulham after two seasons in footballing purgatory, already has as many goals as any of his former teammates this season (although he has played an extra match at the time of writing). With two in his first five league outings for Marco Silva’s side, as well as one assist, it has been a fruitful start at Craven Cottage.
For Arsenal, it was 31 games since his last goal and 38 for his last two. As Martin Odegaard remains sidelined, there may well be some regret in the camp that such a talented player didn’t reach their peak at the Emirates Stadium.
Unfortunately for Arteta and Smith Rowe it simply wasn’t meant to be. Injuries and form cut his time in north London with more and more competition arriving to challenge for starting spots.
