EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal attacker Smith Rowe wants to finish season with Gunners

Jacque Talbot

• 19 Jan 2024 09:00 CST
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Emile Smith Rowe is adamant about remaining with Arsenal and battling for his spot, FootballTransfers can reveal.

Recent reports have suggested that West Ham are eyeing a potential move for the youngster, but we are told that Smith Rowe remains focused on his commitment to the Gunners, the club he has been a part of since the age of ten.

Sources inform us that the 23-year-old is yet to receive any formal contact from other clubs eager to secure his signature in the ongoing transfer window - and he is undeterred by the speculation and is fully concentrated on earning a regular place in the Arsenal lineup down the line.

Smith Rowe's journey at Arsenal began a decade ago when he joined the club's youth academy. Since then, he has progressed through the ranks. He has struggled for game-time this season and last, however.

Will Emile Smith stay at Arsenal?

Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta has used Smith Rowe sparingly over the past 18 months, a far cry from the player's breakthrough into the first-team in 2018. Smith Rowe's ascent peaked during the 2021/22 season, when he netted 10 goals in the Premier League.

However, the subsequent 18 months have seen a marked downturn in his goal-scoring fortunes, attributed in part to a series of injury setbacks.

The Hammers are expressing a keen interest in acquiring Smith Rowe. Despite this, Arsenal club faces no immediate pressure to part ways with the talented midfielder, even if they are hopeful of bolsering their funds for a striker.

David Moyes confirmed earlier this week that he is keen to strengthen his squad during the winter window.

"The truth is we will try and do some business," Moyes said on Tuesday after West Ham's FA Cup defeat to Bristol City. "Undoubtedly, there's a desire from the club to try and do something and from me and everybody there."