MIKEL ARTETA expressed his “sadness” after Arsenal confirmed the £34m departure of Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham.
The Gunners midfielder, 24, ends a 14-year spell with the North Londoners – becoming the most expensive academy-grown departure in the club’s history.
Smith Rowe joins the Cottagers on a long-term deal with £27m paid upfront plus £7m in add-ons – and could make his debut on Monday in a friendly at home to Sevilla.
He left Arsenal’s pre-season States camp to complete his medical earlier this week before joining the Fulham squad in Portugal – keen to hit the ground running after making just 25 Prem appearances since August 2022.
Boss Arteta – who relied heavily on Smith Rowe during his first few years in charge of Arsenal – said: “I’m sad that Emile is leaving us.
“But I’m excited for him to take this new opportunity at this stage of his career, when he needs to be starting matches and playing regularly.
“Emile’s commitment, attitude and energy every day was first class, always stepping up when the team needed him.
“He came into the first team and was instrumental during a difficult moment for us. He created an important impression, with his strong performances making our supporters proud.
“Emile is loved by everyone at the club and leaves us with our gratitude, absolute respect and best wishes. We all wish Emile and his family well at Fulham.”
It is a club-record fee for Fulham, and Arsenal’s biggest sale since Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Liverpool for £35m in 2017.
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Smith Rowe was desperate to leave for first team football this summer, despite his love for his boyhood club Arsenal, hoping to make the England squad for the 2026 World Cup.
He currently has one goal in three England senior caps, the last coming in March 2022.
Sporting Director Edu said: “Emile is loved by us all at the club. He has been with us for many years, and we are so proud that he has developed through our Academy system into our first team.
“It has been a positive collaboration to find the right place for Emile, where he will continue to grow and make his mark on the Premier League. We have completed an important and positive deal for everyone.
“We thank Emile for everything he gave to Arsenal and we wish him well in the next stage of his career.”
Arsenal and Arteta will look to reinvest this summer, having already spent £42m on Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori, with a midfielder and winger on their radar.
Talks are progressing for Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Mikel Merino, 28, with a fee between £25m and £30m expected to get the deal over the line.
Merino has just one year left on his current contract at Sociedad.
