"I obviously want show them what they are missing" - Former Arsenal star sends message to Mikel Arteta

Former Arsenal star Emile Smith-Rowe hopes to show the Gunners what they are missing ahead of their Premier League game with Fulham on Sunday, December 8. The midfielder started his career at the north London club, coming through the club's famed Hale End academy to make 115 appearances for the senior team.

Smith-Rowe was sold to Fulham this summer for a reported €31.8 million fee. He has been in fine form for the west London club since, bagging three goals and two assists in 1036 minutes across 16 games.

Speaking in a recent interview with Mirror, Smith-Rowe discussed his departure from the club, saying:

"At the age 24, you want to be playing every week and getting opportunities and it was getting to the point where I wasn’t really getting opportunities anymore for whatever reason. I had to make the decision to move on. I’m getting my chances now and I’m really happy with it.

"I obviously want show them what they are missing out on in terms of being there and leaving, but it’s nothing personal. I have so much love for them but obviously I want to win with Fulham. I thought it would be a lot harder than it has been. It has actually been quite easy."

He further added:

"I thought I would be really upset and sad. It was obviously the hardest decision I have ever had to make – but definitely the right one. I feel like I have settled in really well and I am really happy. Marco [Silva]has given me so much confidence, given me the freedom to just enjoy myself and if I make a mistake just go again."

Emile Smith-Rowe will hope he can make Arsenal regret his sale with a fantastic performance. The Cottagers sit ninth on the league table with 22 points, seven behind the Gunners.

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta outlines intentions ahead of Fulham clash

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants his team to be one of the best sides on the planet. The Gunners have been one of the best English clubs in recent years and have challenged for the league title over the last two seasons.

Arteta has been in charge of the club since the winter of 2019 and has overseen 252 games, averaging 1.98 points per game. Speaking about his intentions with the north London outfit, the Spanish tactician said (via FotMob):

"We want to be the kings of everything, At set pieces, the best in the world, at high press, the best in the world, attacking open spaces, the best in the world. We want the best atmosphere in the stadium, and be the best at everything.

"Before it was about we didn't score enough, we were so defensive in our mentality, we were not physical enough and could not challenge the top teams and going 22, 17, 20 years without winning away from home in big matches. We want to be the best at everything, we want to have the best academy, the best individual development for players, recruit the best players and have the best coaches. That's the aim and now we have to go and do something else."

The Arsenal boss concluded by pointing out that his side still had room to improve, saying:

"We are very good at a lot of things. We take it as a compliment and fuel to be better because we are not perfect, even in that department or defending set pieces. We conceded three chances [vs Manchester United], the three of them coming from that kind of situation. There is a lot to improve and the margins are always there for us to explore and try to get better."

Arsenal are third on the Premier League table, seven points behind league leaders Liverpool with 14 games played. The north Londoners have not won a major trophy since 2020.