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Arsenal could cash-in on Emile Smith Rowe to fund summer plans

By Daniel on February 15, 2024

According to Football Insider, Emile Smith Rowe’s days as an Arsenal player might be numbered. I bet you’re curious about why, right? Let’s dive into that, but let’s first discuss why we find ourselves in the current situation with the Hale End graduate.

Since undergoing surgery for a groin injury in September 2022, Smith Rowe has struggled to secure a spot in the Arsenal team. In the 2021–22 season, the 23-year-old had proven himself to be one of Arteta’s most reliable players. Throughout 33 league games, he scored 10 goals and provided 2 assists. He had a chance to improve those stats, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

He had a terrible injury-ridden 2022–23 season. He played in just 12 league matches during the 2022–23 season, without finding the back of the net but contributing two assists. This season, Smith Rowe has only made 8 appearances in the league, with just 2 starts. He has only played more than 45 minutes twice, while the other six appearances have been brief cameos.

Smith Rowe’s Arsenal future in doubt

There’s been some talk about Smith Rowe’s future lately. According to Football Insider, there are a couple of factors that could potentially lead to his departure, despite the recognition of his talent and his optimism for a comeback.

It seems like in the summer Smith Rowe might reconsider his chances for game time at the Emirates. If he wants to make it back to the England squad, he needs to be playing more. Arsenal might think about selling him, even though it’s a difficult decision. But it would be purely for financial gain and to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. Cashing in on Smith Rowe – an academy graduate – would allow Arsenal to post the transfer fee as pure profit on the books, which would free up significant funds.

With two years remaining on his contract at the end of the season, Arsenal can make a decent amount of money from his sale. Transfermarkt says he’s worth £21 million but surely Arsenal could get a lot more than that for him.

It’s not clear whether Arsenal would go ahead with plans of selling him or if he’ll push for an exit, but it seems like both the player and the club will have a big decision to make during the off-season. So, if they both decide to call it quits, it’ll be a mutual agreement.

There might be a few Gooners feeling a bit down after reading this report. On the positive side, it would boost the club’s summer transfer activity. So, it might end up being a sensible decision.

Smith Rowe clearly is no longer in Arteta’s first team plans, and with several big-money signings needed in the summer, Arsenal need to generate funds. If selling Smith Rowe allows Arsenal to sign the players Arteta wants to take us to the next level, it will be a sacrifice worth making.