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Emile Smith Rowe surely excited as Fulham want to sign ‘top player’ from Arsenal before the deadline

Olly Dawes

Wed 28 August 2024 18:35, UK

Arsenal have already sold Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham this summer but may yet offload another player to Marco Silva’s side this summer.

When the Premier League title is on the line, there is no room for sentiment.

That is what Mikel Arteta is finding this summer as Arsenal’s rapid progression and lofty aims under the Spaniard mean some players are making emotional exits.

Charlie Patino has joined Deportivo La Coruna having previously been backed for a huge future at Arsenal.

Patino just wasn’t going to break into this trophy-chasing Arsenal side and the same even went for Emile Smith Rowe.

Arsenal cashed in on Smith Rowe this summer and he is already catching the eye having been praised by Alan Shearer.

Emile Smith Rowe on Reiss Nelson

Smith Rowe has made a strong start to life at Fulham and may yet be joined by a very familiar face.

Reports suggest that Fulham are now interested in signing Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline.

Nelson needs first-team action at this stage in his career and it just isn’t going to come at Arsenal when Bukayo Saka is thriving.

Fulham may offer Nelson an escape route and reunite him with former Arsenal teammate Smith Rowe.

The pair go way back having even featured in the Arsenal Under-18’s together, progressing up through the Gunners ranks.

Maybe Nelson and Smith Rowe can become a real dynamic duo together at Fulham and Smith Rowe would certainly be happy if the move comes off.

Speaking earlier in 2024, Smith Rowe was asked to name his top players from South London.

Smith Rowe was in no doubt, naming Nelson as a ‘top player’ and even placing him above Jadon Sancho having known each other some they were kids.

“I’ll put first obviously my teammate Reiss Nelson. A top player and I’ve been playing with him since I was about 10 years old. Then Jadon Sancho, someone who again I’ve been playing against since I was young,” said Smith Rowe.

Nelson’s Arsenal exit not guaranteed

Arsenal may fancy cashing in on Nelson in an ideal world, but Mikel Arteta won’t want to leave himself short of options.

Saka is the star of the show down Arsenal’s right flank and he takes on a staggering workload for the Gunners.

That still hasn’t really seen Nelson feature on a regular basis but he at least offers natural cover for Saka on the right side.

Another right-sided option has just left Arsenal as Fabio Vieira has joined Porto.

Vieira is primarily a playmaker but has occasionally been used on the right side in place of Saka.

Reports suggest that Nelson may be forced to stay due to Vieira’s exit, but there may be a twist in the tale yet.

Claims from Jason Burt suggest that Arsenal are ‘still looking for another forward player’ before Friday’s transfer deadline.

If Arsenal can find another attacking player, maybe Nelson will be allowed to leave after all – and potentially reunite with Smith Rowe.