EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal ready to accept Smith Rowe offers as Aston Villa eye deal
Steve Kay
- 7 Dec 2023 06:00 CST
- 3 min read
Exclusive
Emile Smith Rowe’s place in the plans of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks more vulnerable than ever, with FootballTransfers’ sources revealing that the midfielder will be sold in the January transfer window should a suitable offer arrive.
Smith Rowe has found himself out of the first-team picture as the Gunners have charged to the top of the Premier League table, with the 23-year-old managing just 230 minutes of action across all competitions so far this season.
He has suffered a further setback due to a knee injury, but having barely been used in a meaningful capacity this season, Arteta will allow the England U21 international, who is a favourite with many Arsenal fans, to depart.
The manager has already held a long conversation with the player regarding both his fitness levels and what is expected of him with respect to his role in the team.
FootballTransfers’ sources have indicated that had Arteta been successful in bringing Ilkay Gundogan to the club in the summer, Smith Rowe would have departed at that point.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are seeking to bring in an attack-minded No.8 in the forthcoming transfer window.
Should Smith Rowe be transfer listed, he will not be short of offers. Aston Villa still hold an interest in a player that manager Unai Emery knows well from his time at the Emirates Stadium, with the surprise Premier League title chasers long-term admirers of the players.
Smith Rowe the latest victim of Arteta
Arteta has been ruthless when it has come to making cuts in the Arsenal squad in recent months, with the Spaniard surprisingly sending Kieran Tierney away on loan to Real Sociedad during the summer.
In January, it will be the Hale End graduates that the manager seeks to offload in order to make space in his squad.
FootballTransfers has already revealed that Eddie Nketiah looks like heading out of the club, while it looks increasingly likely that the popular Smith Rowe will follow.
