"I wanted to be playing" - Emile Smith-Rowe explains decision to leave Arsenal last summer

Fulham midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has opened up on his decision to quit Arsenal last summer. The England international joined the Gunners at the age of 10 and spent 14 years at the north London side.

Smith Rowe joined Fulham this summer in a reported £34 million deal and has done pretty well for the Cottagers. He has been a breath of fresh air in Marco Silva's midfield and has contributed with two goals and one assist in nine games across competitions so far.

The 24-year-old has claimed that it was tough for him to leave his boyhood club Arsenal but he insisted that he needed more playing time. The technically gifted attacking midfielder told The Telegraph:

“I can’t remember an actual, exact moment. But for the last two seasons, I haven’t played as much as I wanted to and it was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to be happy again. I wanted to be playing."

"Sometimes, you have to think of the best for yourself. I always want to put my club first but at the same time, I have to make myself happy. It was probably the toughest decision I’ve had to make [to leave]. But I spoke to my family and we decided it was the best thing for me.”

Smith Rowe insisted that he has no hard feelings towards Arsenal and remains a big supporter of the north London club. He also discussed how difficult it was as he battled constant injury problems and struggled for playing time while at the Emirates and added:

“Really difficult. Definitely. Ups and downs with injuries and then, getting back fit and then not getting the opportunities that I obviously wanted. But at the same time, Arsenal were pushing to win the league. So I had to wait and be patient. It was really tough. My family were there for me and I tried to stay as positive as I could."

"But it’s football and these things happen. Coming through the academy all you want to do is just play for your club and when you are not getting the opportunities, there is only so much you can take. Like I said, there is no bad feelings or anything. I am still supporting them, I still talk to a few of the boys. It’s all love.”

Smith Rowe made 115 appearances for Arsenal and contributed 18 goals and 13 assists. He became a key player for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta but fell down the pecking order because of persistent injury problems.

---

Arsenal legend backs England international to join the Gunners next season

Arsenal great Lee Dixon has claimed that Lille midfielder Angel Gomes could be on his way to the Emirates Stadium next season.

The Lille midfielder did well in a midfield pivot alongside Declan Rice in England's 3-1 win over Finland in League B Group 2 of the UEFA Nations League on October 13. Gomes, who was formerly on the books of Manchester United, has been linked with several top clubs from across Europe including Liverpool and Chelsea.

However, former Arsenal full-back Lee Dixon believes that the 24-year-old could be the perfect fit for the Gunners. He told Metro:

"I think Angel Gomes would fit in at Arsenal superbly. His qualities are clear to see, he’s a very good link-up player and we’ve seen that he can play alongside Declan Rice."

Dixon added:

“He’s got a lot of potential and although there will be plenty of clubs looking at him, I could see him at Arsenal next season.”

Gomes' stock is quite high at the moment following his exploits for Lille as well as his contract situation. His current deal at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy expires next summer which means he would be available on a free. The Englishman has made 123 appearances for Lille to date, contributing nine goals and 19 assists.