Mikel Arteta makes 'very tough' Emile Smith Rowe admission ahead of Arsenal reunion in Fulham clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted it was a “very tough decision” to sell Emile Smith Rowe this summer - but it was the right time for him to join Fulham.

Smith Rowe moved to Fulham in August as part of a deal that could eventually be worth £34million.

The midfielder, who will face his old club Arsenal this weekend, had been with the Gunners since he was 10 years old after joining their academy.

Arteta says that led to an emotional goodbye for Smith Rowe, but it was the right moment for him to move on after playing just 346 minutes in the Premier League last season.

“It was a special one for sure,” said Arteta, when asked about Smith Rowe’s exit.

“But as well when you look at someone in their eyes, and he really believes it is the move for him, the right time to move and that he really needs another challenge, you have to understand that, show your gratitude and move on.

“Once they leave you have to leave them to do their own thing. You speak to them once in a while, but very grateful for what they did for us and wish them the best.

“It was a very tough decision, obviously, to let Emile go, especially because personally, I feel really grateful for what he did for the club and for me.

“In that period of time, I think he was instrumental in changing some things around it but in the end, players have to play.

“He had a lot of difficult moments as well. A lot of struggles with injuries when we were together and he needed that fresh start. It’s normal. We understood that and we let him go.”

Arsenal also allowed Fabio Vieira to leave the club this summer, with the midfielder joining Porto on loan for the season.

That looked like it had left the Gunners short in midfield, but Arteta has explained it was to give Ethan Nwaneri a platform to shine.

“We allowed Fabio to go as well because we wanted to create the room and the space for Ethan,” he said.

“He has given us every reason to trust him. He’s shown that he’s ready to make the next step and it’s great to have him.”

Arsenal head to Fulham on Sunday hoping to make it five wins on the spin, but Arteta is expecting a tough afternoon at Craven Cottage.

The Gunners took just one point off Fulham last season and lost 2-1 at Craven Cottage on New Year’s Eve, in what Arteta labelled their worst performance of the season.

“A big challenge,” said Arteta. “Last year we lost five points against them. I’ve always been very complimentary about them, about their coach and what they do. It’s always a really tough place to go.”