Last summer, Arsenal sold young prospect Emile Smith Rowe to Aston Villa for a fee of just £25 million. At the time, it was seen as a good deal for both clubs, with Arsenal getting a decent fee for a player who was not yet a regular starter, and Villa getting a talented young player with the potential to be a star. However, just one year later, Smith Rowe is set for a massive profitable return to the Champions League club, with Villa reportedly demanding a fee of £80 million for the England international.
Smith Rowe has enjoyed a remarkable rise to prominence since joining Arsenal's academy at the age of 10. He made his first-team debut in 2018 and has since gone on to make over 100 appearances for the club. In the 2020/21 season, Smith Rowe established himself as a key player for Arsenal, scoring 10 goals and providing 8 assists in all competitions. His impressive performances earned him a call-up to the England national team, and he has since made 5 appearances for the Three Lions.
Despite Smith Rowe's obvious talent, Arsenal decided to sell him last summer. There were a number of reasons for this, including the need to raise funds to strengthen other areas of the squad and the belief that Smith Rowe would benefit from playing regular first-team football elsewhere. However, it is now clear that Arsenal made a mistake in selling Smith Rowe. The midfielder has been in excellent form for Villa this season, scoring 10 goals and providing 5 assists in all competitions. He has also been a key player for England, starting all 5 of their matches at the 2022 World Cup.
Villa are now in a strong position to demand a high fee for Smith Rowe. The midfielder is under contract until 2026, and he is one of the most promising young players in English football. Arsenal are reportedly interested in re-signing Smith Rowe, but they will have to pay a significant fee to bring him back to the Emirates Stadium.
There are different perspectives on Arsenal's decision to sell Smith Rowe. Some believe that it was a mistake, as Smith Rowe has since developed into one of the best young players in the Premier League. Others believe that it was a necessary decision, as Arsenal needed to raise funds to strengthen other areas of the squad. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they believe Arsenal made the right decision.
Arsenal's decision to sell Emile Smith Rowe last summer has backfired spectacularly. The midfielder has enjoyed a remarkable rise to prominence since joining Aston Villa, and he is now one of the most promising young players in English football. Villa are now in a strong position to demand a high fee for Smith Rowe, and Arsenal will have to pay a significant sum if they want to re-sign him.
The sale of Smith Rowe is a reminder that it is difficult to predict how young players will develop. Arsenal may have thought they were doing the right thing by selling Smith Rowe last summer, but it is now clear that they made a mistake. The midfielder is a valuable asset, and he could have been a key player for Arsenal for many years to come.
Table: Smith Rowe's Stats in 2022/23 Season (as of 20th February 2023)
| Competition | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 22 | 8 | 4 |
| FA Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| EFL Cup | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 25 | 10 | 5 |
0 Comments: