Transfer Centre

Emile Smith Rowe to consider Arsenal exit in January?

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 30 September 2023

Emile Smith Rowe is reportedly considering leaving Arsenal in January in order to improve his chances of making England's Euro 2024 squad.

Emile Smith Rowe has reportedly considered leaving Arsenal in January if his game time does not increase.

After being a regular during the 2021-22 season, Smith Rowe has since struggled to break back into the Arsenal side after numerous absences.

Injury setbacks have been massively frustrating for the Arsenal man, and the presence of Gabriel Martinelli has now made him nothing more than a squad player of late.

So much so that Smith Rowe's start against Brentford in the EFL Cup on Wednesday was his first in an Arsenal shirt for 499 days.

Coming on as a 97th-minute substitute in the North London derby last weekend was the midfielder's first bit of Premier League action this season.

With Leandro Trossard also providing competition since joining from Brighton & Hove Albion, when all fit, Smith Rowe has fallen to third-choice in the left-wing position at the Emirates Stadium.

Therefore, 90min claims that Smith Rowe could seek an exit from the club in January, especially as he has ambitions to make England's Euro 2024 squad.

Emile Smith Rowe celebrates scoring for England against San Marino on November 15, 2021 © Reuters

The 23-year-old has three England caps to his name under Gareth Southgate, and hopes that resurrecting his career elsewhere could help regain a place in the manager's squad.

Aston Villa are expected to revive their interest in the player after previously having advances rebuffed.

Fellow Premier League sides Newcastle United and Brighton are also thought to be keeping tabs on Smith Rowe ahead of the January transfer window.

Smith Rowe is under contract at the Emirates until 2026, so that could see the club allow him to leave on loan for the rest of this season.

That could open the market up to some European clubs, who would be unable to afford Smith Rowe's full transfer fee.

The Arsenal man has spent time away on loan on the continent before, having a brief spell at RB Leipzig in 2019, before also going out on a temporary deal to Huddersfield Town in the Championship a year later.