Few Hale End graduates have been as popular at Arsenal in recent years as Emile Smith Rowe.

Along with Bukayo Saka, the Fulham midfielder was integral in kickstarting Mikel Arteta’s project. After breaking into the side during the Spaniard’s first full season in charge, Smith Rowe took the No.10 shirt, and reached double figures in the Premier League in 2021/22.

Emile Smith Rowe left out of Fulham’s squad completely

Emile Smith Rowe was left out of the matchday squad altogether for Fulham’s win over Hull City at the weekend, and according to Dave Kidd of Saturday White Fever, his top-flight career is now “hanging by a thread.”

It isn’t the first time he’s been left out. Smith Rowe has made just four Premier League appearances this season, all from the bench, totalling 40 minutes, and he’s missed out on the matchday squad for several games. His only starts have come in the Carabao Cup, where he scored against AFC Wimbledon.

Kidd claims that Alvaro Arbeloa warned Smith Rowe in the first week of the season that he wasn’t interested in his transfer fee, wages or reputation, and the Fulham boss has been true to his word. Teenager Josh King, who has been linked with Arsenal, has made the No.10 role his own, while fellow Hale End graduate Alex Iwobi is also ahead of him in the pecking order, though he has been playing more off the left recently.

Overall, Smith Rowe has 12 goals and three assists in 89 appearances for Fulham, a modest return for the club’s former record signing. Kidd believes Fulham could now look to sell him in January.

It’s a sad situation for anyone who watched him at the Emirates. At 26, he should be at the peak of his career, and the talent that made him such a favourite at Arsenal is still in there somewhere. A fresh start elsewhere in January might be exactly what he needs to find it again.