Arsenal had perfect Martin Odegaard replacement and Mikel Arteta decided to let him go

He was one of their own and now he's gone. There were high hopes at Arsenal for Emile Smith Rowe, having come through the Hale End academy.

Smith Rowe made his breakthrough at the Emirates Stadium under Unai Emery and then, when Mikel Arteta took over in 2019, was one of the early shining lights.

But injuries hampered his development and as Arteta built a Premier League title-challenging squad, Smith Rowe fell out of favour, despite the fans' clamouring for him to have a bigger role.

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The 24-year-old made the move to Craven Cottage to join Fulham in the summer in a £34million deal. And he has shown his quality already, with three goals and two assists in 11 Premier League matches for the Cottagers.

It is slightly ironic that the man who plays in his favourite position in the Arsenal team - Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard - has been missing for a spell with injury this season. That injury has hampered Arsenal, with the Gunners slipping nine points adrift of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

Speaking to Metro, former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore condemned the Gunners' transfer business. He said: "Emile Smith Rowe’s move to Fulham also shows that Arsenal haven’t exactly been amazing in who they’ve let go, because he’s done very well for Fulham.

"Especially with the injury to Martin Odegaard as well, Smith Rowe could’ve slotted into that position."

Collymore also labelled Raheem Sterling a "massive disappointment" saying the former Chelsea man has "stunk the place out" since his move to north London on loan on transfer deadline day.