Emile Smith Rowe’s Arsenal future becomes clear ahead of January window

Jacque Talbot

• 30 Sept 2023 12:50 BST
• 3 min read

Emile Smith Rowe will consider leaving Arsenal if he does not get the game-time he desires, according to reports.

Outlet 90min states that the youngster is looking at his options ahead of the January transfer window.

Smith Rowe made his first start for the club in almost 500 days, featuring in the club’s 1-0 win at Brentford in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

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Smith Rowe shone for Arsenal during the 2021/22 campaign, scoring ten goals and adding two assists in 33 Premier League games, but he has since lost his place on the left-wing slot to Gabriel Martinelli, while injuries have not helped his cause.

It is believed that the player has ambitions of making the England squad ahead of next summer’s European Championships and so is in need of minutes to realise this.

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The 23-year-old had been looked at by Aston Villa, while Brighton and Newcastle are also keen.

Smith Rowe’s contract runs until 2026 and it’s thought that he could be allowed to leave on loan in January for six months.

Smith Rowe previously spent time playing abroad, heading to RB Leipzig on loan in 2019. Arsenal’s price tag for the player is thought to be putting a number of suitors off.

Smith Rowe on his Arsenal future

Speaking after Wednesday's win at Brentford, Smith Rowe conceded that he suffered from confidence issues. He told reporters: "I have changed a bit of my mentality...just to go for it. I have not really got anything to lose. I have tried to change that inside me," he said. "I used to have a lot of doubts. I used to question my confidence, at times. But now I am really strong. I am feeling really fit and I am taking that into now.

"The gaffer has really helped me with that. He was helping me through my injury and often pulled me for chats about how I can be mentally stronger. I tried to support the boys as much as I could when I couldn't help them on the pitch. It was really tough but I am stronger now."

He added: "When I heard [supporters cheering him onto the pitch] in the Champions League, it was a really proud moment for me and my family. It has been hard sometimes not coming on and sometimes [you are] disappointed, but this is life, this is football. You have got to keep going."