Arteta opens up on decision to let Smith-Rowe leave ahead of reunion | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has opened up on the decision to let Emile Smith-Rowe leave Arsenal for their upcoming opponents Fulham in the summer.

Smith-Rowe spent 14 years at Arsenal, graduating from the academy before becoming a first-team player but injuries and competition for places meant he found game time difficult to come by under Arteta.

He moved to fellow London club Fulham in the summer and has impressed this season.

Reflecting on his departure, Arteta admits it was difficult to see him go but still believes it was the right move despite his good form for Fulham.

“He is special for sure but when you look at someone in their eyes and they really believe it is the best move for them, that it is right to move and he really needs another challenge, at the end you have to understand that you have to show your gratitude and move on, that’t it,” he said.

Arteta was also full of praise for former Gunners man and Smith-Rowe’s Fulham team-mate Alex Iwobi, who has been outstanding for the Cottagers this season.

The Nigeria international left Arsenal for Everton in 2019 before making the move to Fulham, and took his goal tally to five for the season with a double in his side’s win over Brighton on Thursday.

“I always liked him a lot,” Arteta said.

“I always thought that he had tremendous quality, a very special talent, the capacity to play in different spaces, different positions as well, and I’m really happy to see him playing at that level.”