MIKEL ARTETA proved he is as “ruthless” as mentor Pep Guardiola by selling yet another Arsenal academy star.
But Gunners legend Ray Parlour urged Fulham-bound Emile Smith Rowe to prove the club’s boss wrong by reclaiming a spot in the England team.
Smith Rowe, 24, joined the Cottagers for £27million — plus £7m in add-ons — after falling out of favour with Arteta owing to injuries and a drop in form.
His is the latest homegrown exit from the Emirates during Arteta’s tenure, following Joe Willock’s £25m switch to Newcastle in August 2021 and Folarin Balogun’s £35m Monaco deal in August last year.
Academy product Parlour — who lifted three Prem titles and four FA Cups in 15 years at Arsenal — wants the Spaniard to give more kids a first-team chance.
But the former midfielder compared Arteta to Manchester City chief Guardiola in refusing to let sentiment cloud his judgement.
Parlour, 51, said: “Arteta is ruthless. He has learned that from Pep. If you’re not doing your job, you’re out.
“It could be argued that in my time, Arsene Wenger was too loyal and wanted continuity with the same players — but Arteta is fearless.
“Managers live by decisions and he hasn’t made many bad ones.
“I doubted him for dropping Aaron Ramsdale for David Raya but now no one talks about it.
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“Fair play to him for having the balls to leave people out and sell them.”
Smith Rowe made just 13 Prem appearances last term and won the last of his three senior Three Lions caps in March 2022.
Speaking to SunSport via Netbet Sports Betting, Parlour added: “The deal is great for both parties. Fulham are getting an excellent player and Smith Rowe has a good opportunity to prove Arteta wrong.
“If he puts his head down, stays fit, works hard and gets back into that form he showed at Arsenal, he could be pushing back into England’s squad.”
A dozen Arsenal academy hopefuls joined the seniors on their pre-season tour of the United States, including 17-year-olds Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ayden Heaven.
But the exits of 19-year-old pair Amario Cozier-Duberry to Brighton and Reuell Walters to Luton were met with surprise.
And 16-year-old striker Chido Obi-Martin — who scored 32 goals for Arsenal’s Under-18s last season — has rejected a new deal.
Parlour added: “I hope a few more come through the academy but the standard has gone up.
“You’ve got to be very special, like Bukayo Saka, to even think about getting into the first team.
“They have a good squad — one that can win the Premier League.”
