Advertisement

Arsenal in fresh January transfer claim as heartfelt Emile Smith Rowe admission made

Charles De Ketelaere of Belgium looks across his shoulder
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Arsenal resume their title bid after the international break with a trip to Bournemouth this weekend. Saturday's clash will come just a week before what is set to be a tough test against Premier League leaders Liverpool.

The Gunners are currently just a point behind Arne Slot's team after seven games. But Mikel Arteta has several injury worries to deal with, as Bukayo Saka could be set to join Martin Odegaard on the sidelines after pulling out of the England squad. Below are some of the latest headlines surrounding the Emirates Stadium...

New forward claim

Arsenal are said to be interested in Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere. The Belgian can play as a No 10, centre-forward or left winger.

And CaughtOffside claim that De Ketelaere has emerged as an alternative to Shakhtar Donetsk ace Georgiy Sudakov. Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Newcastle are also said to be interested.

Football.london's Isaac Seelochan says: "De Ketelaer struggled to make an impact at AC Milan but, he has shone for Atalanta in the Champions League this season. If a reasonable fee can be agreed, he would be worth a gamble."

READ MORE: Player Edu sold this summer already eyeing Arsenal return as Mikel Arteta transfer message sent

READ MORE: Erling Haaland issues public apology after Arsenal Martin Odegaard replacement decision

Smith Rowe message

Emile Smith Rowe admits he had to leave Arsenal ‘for his own happiness’ after joining Fulham in the summer. The midfielder made the move across the capital in July, becoming Fulham’s club record signing in a £34million deal.

"I can’t remember an actual, exact moment,’ Smith Rowe told the Daily Telegraph, discussing his decision to leave the Emirates.

"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."

Football.london's Isaac Seelochan says: "Most Arsenal fans will understand Smith Rowe's decision and wish him well at Fulham. The 24-year-old was a breakthrough star at the Gunners, but he is probably not quite good enough to play for a title challenger."