Arsenal could suddenly do Emile Smith Rowe a major favour
Emile Smith Rowe hasn’t started a Premier League game this season.
The Arsenal academy graduate was sold to Fulham for up to £34million in 2024, and has made just three substitute appearances this season under Alvaro Arbeloa.
It’s a far cry from the player who, alongside Bukayo Saka, once looked destined to be a cornerstone of Arsenal’s rebuild under Mikel Arteta.
It’s fair to say his time at Craven Cottage hasn’t gone to plan. After a few promising flashes in his debut season, injury setbacks completely derailed his momentum. Last season, he yielded just three goals and no assists in 29 appearances.
But his former club could be about to do him a favour.
Arsenal are monitoring Fulham’s Josh King
The reason he can’t get near Fulham’s starting XI right now is a 19-year-old who is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League.
According to Flashscore, Arsenal are among the clubs monitoring Josh King, as well as Liverpool, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund.
The attacking midfielder has been outstanding for Fulham this season, edging towards an England call-up and making himself impossible to ignore.
Fulham, though, have no desire to sell. King is under contract until 2029 and it would take a club-record fee north of £50million to prise him away at this stage.
But, hypothetically, if Arsenal were to sign him, it would clear the pathway for Smith Rowe to get back into the team.
A player of his quality should be playing regularly, but right now, King is undroppable.
At 26, Smith Rowe is entering what should be the peak years of his career. Arsenal got a good deal at £34million, with his value having likely dropped significantly given his output over the last two seasons.
But the talent doesn’t just disappear. He just needs the right environment to get going again; a proper run of games, perhaps.
King’s a quality prospect, and would be a good signing for Arsenal. But it might just be even better for Emile Smith Rowe.