For a long time, Emile Smith Rowe was considered “the next big thing” at Arsenal. However, his journey at Emirates Stadium which started in 2010 when he was only nine and lasted for 14 years, ultimately ended last August when the 24-year-old moved to Fulham. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8415847##In his first major interview upon leaving his boyhood club, Smith Rowe spoke to The Telegraph and right at the beginning revealed how he feels on the pitch.”I kind of just turn into a monster. I just try to let it all out. I just try to put in as good a performance as I can. I try to play every game as if it is my last. I just try to give everything for the team. That’s important. I am so relaxed and reserved my energy builds up. So, when the game comes I am ready to release it all,” Smith Rowe started.Arsenal legend begs the Gunners’ fanbase to stand with JesusThe departure from Arsenal was a logical question and the midfielder disclosed the decision was extremely hard to make.”For the last two seasons I haven’t played as much as I wanted to and it was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to be happy again. I wanted to be playing. Sometimes you have to think of the best for yourself. I always want to put my club first but at the same time I have to make myself happy. It was probably the toughest decision I’ve had to make (to leave). But I spoke to my family and we decided it was the best thing for me,” he said.Emile Smith Rowe: “I always want to put my club first – at the same time I have to make myself happy. It was probably the toughest decision I’ve had to make [to leave Arsenal].”I’m still supporting them, I still talk to a few of the boys. It’s all love,” told @TelegraphSport. pic.twitter.com/r9b2w4S2ZJ— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley) October 17, 2024 His spell with the Gunners could have potentially been much better had it not been for his frequent injury problems. In the end, they were partially the reason he had to change the colours.”[It was] really difficult. Definitely. Ups and downs with injuries and then getting back fit and then not getting the opportunities that I obviously wanted. But at the same time Arsenal were pushing to win the league. So I had to wait and be patient. It was really tough. My family were there for me and I tried to stay as positive as I could. But it’s football and these things happen. Coming through the academy all you want to do is just play for your club and when you are not getting the opportunities there is only so much you can take. Like I said there is no bad feelings or anything. I am still supporting them, I still talk to a few of the boys. It’s all love,” Smith Rowe confessed.Smith-Rowe on the go: Fulham snatch a GunnerGiven that he has been Fulham’s most expensive acquisition in the club’s 145-year-long history, it would be expected to feel the pressure. Still, Smith Rowe claimed he had learned to cope with it at Arsenal.”Of course there is going to be pressure from outside, social media and stuff, but you try not to think about it. And obviously coming from Arsenal as well there’s always going to be conversations about stuff. A lot of attention – ‘how’s he doing?’ – but I just try and focus on myself. I don’t feel pressure, to be honest. Even at Arsenal wearing the number 10 that was enough pressure already. That was a lot of pressure but I tried not to think about it. Coming here as the record signing doesn’t really bother me. I just want to make sure I am fully fit and performing. For me it’s important to be playing and get back into the rhythm and make sure I am fully fit. Things happen but I want to make sure I am on top of everything and don’t get any more injuries,” Smith Rowe concluded.
