Arsenal start to shed their academy graduates as the stakes are raised
Emile Smith Rowe is set to complete Fulham move while Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson are also close to exit
As Arsenal sat 15th and stared at an embarrassing relegation fight at Christmas in 2020 two youngsters stepped up to drag them out of the mire. Mikel Arteta turned to Emile Smith Rowe to inject creativity alongside the more established but still 19-year-old Bukayo Saka and a team that had taken two points from their previous seven games claimed an unlikely victory against Chelsea on Boxing Day.
Smith Rowe, on his third Premier League appearance and first of the season, provided the pass for Saka to send a perfect clipped finish over the goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. These were players the fans could project their faith on to as senior squad members struggled and other academy products have provided moments of unbridled joy under Arteta. Think Eddie Nketiah’s two goals against Manchester United in January 2023 and Reiss Nelson’s left-foot, half-volley rocket to complete a remarkable turnaround against Bournemouth later that season.
