Arsenal & Emile Smith Rowe set for talks this summer over uncertain future
By Adam Schultz
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Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe is set to have talks with the club in the coming weeks to discuss his future after yet another underwhelming season in north London.
Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe is at a crossroads in his career, and according to Charles Watts, he is set to have talks with the club over the next couple of weeks to determine his future.
Smith Rowe burst onto the scene in the 2021/22 season but has struggled for form and fitness over the last two seasons, making just 34 league appearances. Groin and knee injuries have plagued the midfielder for two years.
Now, in a piece for The Daily Briefing, Watts says the next couple of weeks will be crucial for Smith Rowe and his future in north London.
“The 23-year-old endured another frustrating season with the Gunners, making just 19 appearances in all competitions,” Watts writes. “Aside from a couple of brief injury lay-offs, the club’s academy product was fit for the majority of the campaign, but was rarely used by boss Mikel Arteta as the club looked to secure a first Premier League title in 20 years. And talks between Smith Rowe’s camp and Arsenal are now scheduled ahead of the summer transfer window, with the attacking midfielder heading into the final two years of his contract with the Gunners.”
There’s a lot of sympathy for Emile Smith Rowe from #Arsenal fans. He was one of those who helped kick start this journey, but he hasn’t scored for over two years, and we are now competing at an elite level. We can’t pay people not to play, especially those with value. #AFC pic.twitter.com/rbMpotiUJS
— Adam Keys (@adamkeys_) May 25, 2024
If this were to be the last season Smith Rowe plays for Arsenal; it would be tough to see the Hale End graduate leave the club, especially after bursting onto the scene in 2021/21 when he played 33 league games, scoring 10 goals while grabbing two assists.
Unfortunately, injuries have derailed what looked to be a promising career in north London, and now it remains to be seen if ESR will have a future with the Gunners.
With reports stating that Arteta is looking to bring in one player to upgrade the starting XI, and then to bring the floor of the squad up with depth signings, Smith Rowe could be one casualty as the club might look to cash in on his services now.
The new couple of weeks will be decisive in determining Smith Rowe's future, and if there ever was a time to part ways with the midfielder, that time might be now.