Emile Smith Rowe: Ex-Arsenal Man to Hit the Ground Running at Craven Cottage. One of this summer’s eye-catching Premier League transfers was Emile Smith Rowe’s move across London to Fulham. The attacker found first-team opportunities scarce at Arsenal, but he could be the leading man at Craven Cottage.
Emile Smith Rowe’s Move: A New Chapter at Craven Cottage
After 14 years at the Emirates Stadium, Smith Rowe permanently switched away from Arsenal when he signed a lucrative deal at London rivals Fulham in August 2024. With many attacking options already in the Emirates, breaking into the Gunners’ starting XI would always be tough.
Several clubs were linked with Emile Smith Rowe, but Fulham emerged victorious in the race for his signature. The move was a good one for all parties involved, especially the player, as the England international can stay in the capital and should settle in quickly.
Smith Rowe will slot nicely into Fulham’s free-flowing team. Marco Silva has done an excellent job at the Cottage since inheriting the managerial reigns in 2021, guiding the Whites to two mid-table finishes in the Premier League after winning promotion from the EFL Championship. Silva has got the team playing some attractive stuff along the way.
Fulham’s Attacking Reinforcement: What Smith Rowe Brings to the Table
However, Fulham is looking to improve in its attacking areas this season. They managed 55 Premier League goals last term, with just seven sides scoring fewer. Overall, they scored 47 points after 13 wins, eight draws, and 17 defeats. Silva’s men ended the 2023-24 EPL campaign in 13th spot.
Smith Rowe could be just what Fulham needs at the pitch’s top end. He can play anywhere across the front line, providing excellent runs from midfield and having a real eye for goal.
Although not known for his goal-scoring regularity, Smith Rowe has chipped in with several important strikes. The 2021-22 campaign was a breakthrough year for the Londoner, as he netted ten times in the Premier League for the Gunners. The goals dried up, but injuries and the top form of other Arsenal players halted his momentum at the Emirates.
Smith Rowe gave the Fulham faithful a glimpse of his qualities when he scored on his debut in a pre-season friendly against Sevilla. Seven minutes after coming on as a substitute, the attacking midfielder headed home in Portugal’s eventual 2-1 defeat.
The Challenge Ahead: Fulham’s Ambitions for the 2024-25 Season
With Harry Wilson, Andreas Pereira, Raul Jimenez, and Alex Iwobi in the squad, Fulham’s team is shaping up nicely for the 2024-25 campaign.
The Cottagers recorded several eye-catching results last term, beating Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur. On their day, Fulham are a match for anyone in the top tier.
A Promising Start: Smith Rowe’s Impact and Fulham’s Prospects
Their season begins with a tough-looking matchup against Erik ten Hag’s Man United at Old Trafford. The London team won the corresponding fixture last year, with Calvin Bassey and Iwobi on target in a 2-1 victory.
With Smith Rowe in the side, Fulham will look for a similar outcome in Manchester. Silva’s troops could cause a few more upsets this term, and the Cottagers might be heading for a top-half finish.
