Reiss Nelson has admitted the departure of Emile Smith Rowe in the summer was a particularly hard one to take for the Arsenal squad.
Just like Nelson, Smith Rowe is a product of the Arsenal youth system and played 115 times for the club between 2018 and 2024 — notching 18 goals and 13 assists picking up two Community Shield medals.
However, not helped by injuries, Smith Rowe was never able to fully establish himself as a regular starter at the Emirates.
After a 2023/24 campaign in which he started just three Premier League matches, Smith Rowe made a transfer to Fulham for £27m, rising to £34m with add-ons (per BBC Sport).
“I can’t remember an actual, exact moment, but for the last two seasons I haven’t played as much as I wanted to and it was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to be happy again,” Smith Rowe said of his move.
“I wanted to be playing. Sometimes you have to think of the best for yourself. I always want to put my club first but at the same time, I have to make myself happy.
“It was probably the toughest decision I’ve had to make (to leave). But I spoke to my family and we decided it was the best thing for me.”
