Arsenal star Arteta thought could be 'top in Europe' ready to leave

Stuart Telford

• 2 Nov 2023 10:41 GMT
• 3 min read

Emile Smith Rowe is reportedly ready to give up on his Arsenal dream after falling down the pecking order at the Emirates under Mikel Arteta.

Smith Rowe looked set to become a bona fide star at Arsenal two seasons ago when he hit 10 Premier League goals, Mikel Arteta having handed him 33 games of which 21 were starts.

But unlike fellow academy graduate Bukayo Saka, Smith Rowe has failed to kick on since then. Groin surgery last September might have upset his progress, but the thrice-capped England midfielder has been largely overlooked since recovering.

READ: EXCLUSIVE: West Ham have first refusal on Arsenal attacker Smith Rowe

According to the Fully Loaded Transfer Show, Smith Rowe is getting "itchy feet: at the Emirates and looks set to leave.

Chelsea are reportedly interested in Smith Rowe, while West Ham have first refusal on the player, as exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers collaborator Steve Kay. He is valued at €13.4 million (£11.7m) per FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm.

Arteta: 'he's got the ability'

His previous high - during that 2021/22 season - was €39.8m (£34.7m), and Arteta thought the sky was the limit for Smith Rowe at the time.

READ: Arsenal should look to Celtic for bargain Smith Rowe replacement Arteta would love

"He's having an incredible season ever since he started to play in December," he said. "But he's scoring his first Premier League goal.

"An incredible season for a No 10 of Arsenal means he needs to score 15 goals and give 10 assists. Then you are right up there with the top guys in Europe and in the league.

"He's got the ability to do it but he hasn't done it. We need to stay calm with him, give him the right support and step by step, I think he will be getting there."

Arsenal are expected to offload a number of player next summer, with Kieran Tierney - currently injured and on loa at Real Socieded - no longer in the manager's plans, while Gabriel's future looks increasingly uncertain.