2 winners from Emile Smith Rowe's potential transfer to Fulham

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta have a lot to owe Emile Smith Rowe for, but the time has come to part ways.

Given the nature of his breakthrough and what he offered supporters during times of darkness at the start of Arteta's project, seeing the back of the Hale End graduate is doubtlessly one which is tough to take.

However, given Smith Rowe's body of work over the past two seasons, Edu has done superbly well to coax £35m out of Fulham for his services. Assuming he can stay injury-free, which we'd all love to see, the Gunners will now get to enjoy ESR twice a year in the Premier League.

His move to Fulham is edging ever closer, and there are a couple of players, in particular, who stand to benefit most from his exit.

1. Fabio Vieira

There were mitigating factors behind Fabio Vieira's quiet debut season. The playmaker missed much of pre-season through a foot injury and certainly didn't have the ideal preparation for adjusting to a new culture as a result.

Thus, there was an expectation that Vieira would develop in year two and show off the form which convinced Arsenal to take the plunge two summers ago. Once again, though, Vieira flattered to deceive.

His season pretty much came to an end in late November when he picked up a silly red card in a 3-1 win over Burnley. Vieira subsequently suffered a groin injury which kept him out until February and he made just three Premier League appearances during the second half of the season. Vieira has so far struggled physically in the top flight and it's hard to envisage a major uptick in performance next year.

Smith Rowe's exit, however, does mean Vieira has one less person to fend off in the depth chart. The Portuguese playmaker has got talent, we can't deny that, and he could yet blossom into an output machine thanks to his impressive ball striking.

2. Ethan Nwaneri

Arteta has been accused of grossly mismanaging Arsenal's academy stars, but the harsh truth may be that many of those that have come few the ranks in recent years simply haven't been good enough.

The Gunners are no longer languishing in seventh or eighth. They're chasing Premier League titles. Academy talents must be special if they're to play a part at this stage of the project.

If one youngster has a chance of playing a role next season, it's Nwaneri. The 17-year-old was once the youngest player in Premier League history and now he looks ready to truly make his mark in the top flight. Nwaneri continues to dazzle at youth level, and his opening performance of pre-season against Bournemouth was very encouraging. He looks at ease at the senior level, with his under-the-radar strength and low centre of gravity ensuring he's rarely overwhelmed upon contact.

His best role within Arteta's framework may not yet be known, but Nwaneri, in the absence of a creator in midfield following Smith Rowe's exit, will surely earn minutes for the first team next season.

READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS HERE!