Arsenal boss admits failure to ‘get the best’ out of Emile Smith Rowe

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has openly expressed his disappointment at the selling of Emile Smith Rowe. The English midfielder joined Fulham in a £34m deal at the start of August on a five-year contract, making him their record signing.  

Smith Rowe had a breakthrough campaign in the 2021/22 season, bagging 10 goals in Premier League competitions. Since then, he has had a huge following, which has also benefited the North London club.  

However, it is noteworthy that the Englishman only played 13 times in the 2023-24 Premier League, in which Arsenal finished second in the points table behind Manchester City with 89 points. This is mainly due to injuries and tough competition for a place in the playing XI. 

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He was the player that made our supporters and the team click: Mikel Arteta on Smith Rowe

Meanwhile, when asked how he felt after Smith Rowe's departure, the Arsenal boss said: "A lot (felt sad). When I had the talk with Emile, I really felt it". While Arsenal were pleased to bag a huge amount, Arteta was not happy with the deal. He also expressed his gratitude to the player for boosting the fanbase of the club and creating a different energy in the team. 

"First of all because I have huge gratitude because he came into the team at a tough moment. I think he was the player that made our supporters and the team click, in a way. I don't know how to explain it but that was my feeling. Something changed when he came in the team. He created a different energy straight away," Arteta said. 

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Arteta also admitted that he failed to get the best out of Smith Rowe. The former Spanish footballer said he has a huge responsibility to give every player who works hard to give a chance.  

"And I have a feeling like 'argh', that I have not got the best out of him. Obviously, a lot of things happened in that time. From my side it was really sad, because I know how those boys feel when they are in that building, how hard everyone works to get them close to the first team, so I feel a huge responsibility to give them the chance. And now, can they sustain this level and make us better? That is the idea," the 42-year-old added.