Mikel Arteta was left ‘sad’ by Arsenal transfer exit, now it could haunt him

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Arsenal and Fulham have a unique dynamic when it comes to London rivals, with plenty of stars featuring for both clubs.

The Gunners have agreed to plenty of sales that have seen a player who was once key to the team move to Craven Cottage in search of more regular football.

The current Fulham squad has three stars involved who once called Arsenal their home, but have since moved on.

Bernd Leno and Alex Iwobi are two who feature for the club, but it’s perhaps the deal for Emile Smith Rowe that hurts the most out of them all.

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Mikel Arteta revealed his regret with selling Emile Smith Rowe at Arsenal

Emile Smith Rowe’s rise at Arsenal got the whole fanbase on side, with his creativity and flair capturing the attention right away.

His introduction to the team, alongside Bukayo Saka, sparked some hope for the Gunners that brighter days were ahead.

And indeed they were, with a team that is now capable of competing at the very top of the Premier League and in the Champions League.

However, over time, the influence of Smith Rowe dwindled, and it was tough to see where he would find a place in the team.

In the end, his transfer to Fulham in 2024 brought about a sad end to a chapter.

For Arteta, there was a sense of frustration involved in his inability to get the star firing.

He told the press back in 2024: “When I had the talk with Emile, I really felt it. First of all, because I have huge gratitude because he came into the team at a tough moment.

“I think he was the player that made our supporters and the team click, in a way. I don’t know how to explain it, but that was my feeling. Something changed when he came in the team. He created a different energy straight away.

“And I have a feeling like ‘argh’, that I have not got the best out of him. Obviously, a lot of things happened in that time.

“From my side, it was really sad, because I know how those boys feel when they are in that building, how hard everyone works to get them close to the first team, so I feel a huge responsibility to give them the chance.”

It was a sad moment, but one that could now haunt Arteta in even more ways.

Smith Rowe has had a slow start to the campaign for Fulham, but a recent return to action means he will be fit and available to feature against the Gunners.

It could see him return for the game with a point to prove, potentially harming Arsenal’s own Premier League title chances.

• READ MORE: Match official who last left Mikel Arteta furious appointed for Fulham v Arsenal clash

How Emile Smith Rowe has done since leaving Arsenal

Emile Smith Rowe’s time at Fulham so far has been tough, with a quick start, then hampered by other tough performances.

Marco Silva called upon the former Arsenal man to pick up some more consistency in his play, but that has yet to come.

England youngster Josh King is seemingly ahead of him in the pecking order, having taken the number ten role.

The left flank is also stacked with talent, making it difficult for Smith Rowe to break in.

Perhaps a top performance against Arsenal could see him break in once again, but with the impact made to his old club.