Fabrizio Romano issues Arsenal transfer update after Mikel Arteta's 'desire' claim

Fabrizio Romano believes they may still be a chance of Emile Smith Rowe leaving Arsenal during this window despite claims to the contrary from Mikel Arteta. Smith Rowe has struggled for starts this season, though injuries haven't helped his case, with the 23-year-old missing a stretch of games through a knee issue.

Smith Rowe was once the next big thing at Arsenal, but he has struggled for game time behind the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and others, and he has only started once in the Premier League so far this season. The creative midfielder was heavily linked with a move away during the summer, and he has been tipped to depart again during this window.

The likes of West Ham United are said to be interested, but Gunners boss Arteta played down claims last week, saying: “I’m really happy with Emile. He’s in the right trajectory. Now, he’s settled, he’s training really well and you know I’m not going to talk about individual situations.

“Emile is Emile. We know he’s got incredible qualities and we’re really happy to have him. What he needs now is chances to put all the desire and quality that he has on the pitch. In order to do that we have to give him minutes.”

Despite those comments, transfer insider Romano believes there is still a strong chance Smith Rowe could finish this window away from the Emirates Stadium. “Yes, this is a concrete possibility to see Emile Smith Rowe being approached by clubs in the next days and weeks because it already happened last week with West Ham,” he told CaughtOffside. “For example, West Ham tried to make a deal happen on loan for Smith Rowe, not even a buy-option clause included and Arsenal are never going to accept that.

“For Arsenal, it makes no sense to let the player leave on loan. So my feeling is that, at the end, it’s going to be complicated for Smith Rowe to leave in the January transfer window because Arsenal would only be open to a permanent transfer.

“It’s also about the financial fair play. If you sell a player like Smith Rowe, you can have maybe space to bring in a new, important player for your squad. If you send him on loan, it makes no sense. Mikel Arteta is also happy with the player, so they’re not desperate to let him go and he’s also very happy at Arsenal. If they receive an important proposal or permanent transfer, that could be a possibility, otherwise, I see Smith Rowe staying at Arsenal.”