'Absolute monster': Troy Deeney incredibly impressed by £27m player who Arsenal just sold

09/16/2024 09:15 AM

In order to pave the way for further progress this season, Arsenal had to say goodbye to some popular faces in N5 this summer.

Mikel Arteta and Edu had a clear strategy for the transfer window: offload Arsenal players on the periphery of things and find high-calibre replacements.

All in all, Arsenal were successful in that plan, and it was redeeming to see Raheem Sterling replacing Gabriel Martinelli against Tottenham Hotspur, not Reiss Nelson.

Nelson hasn't often put a foot wrong in an Arsenal shirt, but he's simply not quite at the level that Arteta needs.

That being said, Arsenal also sold Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham this summer, who welcomed Nelson to west London when he joined on loan on deadline day.

And after an emotional Arsenal exit, it's fair to say that Smith Rowe has hit the ground running.

Emile Smith Rowe told he made the right choice to leave Arsenal for Fulham

Smith Rowe was excellent once again against West Ham United on the weekend, a performance that earned the midfielder a spot in Troy Deeney'sTeam of the Week.

Deeney praised Smith Rowe's decision to make his £27m move to Fulham this summer, believing that he was now Marco Silva's king pin.

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He said: "He’s decided to turn into an absolute monster and is just doing his thing. He probably had to leave Arsenal to go to a smaller pond and be that big fish.

"Anything good that comes out of Fulham is through him. He was excellent."

Of course, Smith Rowe's exit has left an opportunity for Ethan Nwaneri at Arsenal, who certainly showed promise against Spurs.

Ethan Nwaneri ready to eclipse Emile Smith Rowe at Arsenal

17-year-old Nwaneri was trusted by Arteta at a crucial point of Sunday's affair, a big step for the youngster.

Gabriel Jesus gave some important advice to Nwaneri shortly after he came on, and it seemed to work.

Nwaneri looked mature, composed and exciting with the ball at his feet, a Hale-Ender Arsenal fans can't wait to see more of.

Of course, those are words that were once bellowed about Smith Rowe in north London, who might still be Arsenal's number 10 were it not for his injuries.

But as one door closes, one opens, and Nwaneri is certainly equipped to star for both England and Arsenal in the future.