Emile Smith Rowe’s Arsenal future is a major topic at the Emirates this summer, but Jack Wilshere is one club figure who will be backing him to stay.
Arsenal recently rejected a hefty bid from Fulham for their academy graduate, which the Daily Mail reported to be worth £30million plus add-ons. The Gunners stance so far highlights just how much they value Smith Rowe, who has had limited game time over the past couple of seasons but is still rated by many around the Emirates.
It leaves Mikel Arteta with a tough call to make should Fulham or other interested parties raise their offer for the player in the coming weeks. Under-18s coach and former Arsenal midfielder Wilshere has previously expressed his admiration for Smith Rowe, hailing him as a standout performer in the past.
“He came into the team really last year and sort of made the position his, but I think this season, even in the bad results, he was the one player, the one shining light. He carries the ball so well in that transition from defence to attack. He is crucial to how this team wants to play.”
Wilshere continued his praise of Smith Rowe as he added: “Especially this season, last season was sort of like his breakthrough season and at times he gave the ball away as all young players do. But he had a great season last season. But this season, the consistency, at such a young age to be Arsenal’s, for me either him or [Bukayo] Saka, probably him their best player this season so far is credit to him.”
That 2021/22 campaign was the pinnacle of Smith Rowe’s Arsenal career thus far, netting 11 times in 37 outings (24 starts) across all competitions. Nonetheless, the burgeoning talent – who enjoyed spells at RB Leipzig and Huddersfield – has seen less action of late as stars like Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, and Jorginho have become central to the Gunners’ midfield machine.
Smith Rowe, 23, was sidelined for 10 matches due to injury last term, where he racked up 19 appearances, though only four of those were starts. Despite being a valuable asset due to his quality, youth and connection to the club, Arsenal may soon find themselves in a tricky position considering his deal runs out in 2026.
Smith Rowe’s current situation isn’t too dissimilar to that once endured by Wilshere, who made an emotional departure from the Emirates back in 2018. The latter’s exit, however, was compounded by persistent injury problems that made a parting of ways inevitable, while Smith Rowe could yet salvage some future at Arsenal.
The Croydon-born midfielder demonstrated his value to Arteta’s team throughout that 2021/22 season but has struggled to maintain that trajectory. Despite no one in north London wanting a sale, Arsenal will have a difficult dilemma on their hands if clubs like Fulham return with better offers.
