'The toughest decision': £35m player says he found it so difficult to leave Arsenal
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There's nothing better than seeing a homegrown talent make it at their boyhood club.
There's just something special about a player coming all the way through the ranks at a club and making it at first-team level.
Some of the most beloved players in the Premier League have followed that exact path such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal's academy has worked wonders in recent years, producing the likes of Saka, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah, but, unfortunately, as the club grows, opportunities for these players are reduced.
Emile Smith Rowe was an unfortunate casualty of this situation in the summer as he left Arsenal to join Fulham in a £35m deal.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Smith Rowe has been discussing his departure from Arsenal and how difficult he found it to leave the club.
Emile Smith Rowe says leaving Arsenal was his toughest ever decision
Smith Rowe spoke about how tough it was to leave Arsenal.
The midfielder says that he didn't get the gametime he wanted at Arsenal, and while it was a tough decision to leave Arsenal, he ultimately decided it was the right call.
"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," Smith Rowe said
"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."
Smith Rowe is shining for Fulham
Smith Rowe may have found it hard to leave Arsenal, but his decision to join Fulham has certainly been justified.
Paul Merson has tipped Smith Rowe to make an England return in the near future, while Fulham are sitting pretty in the top half of the Premier League.
"He lost his way a bit at Arsenal with all the injuries and lack of playing time. If he keeps playing regularly, he will prove to be a brilliant signing for Fulham," Merson said.
"He's someone who chases lost causes and has got a footballing brain. All he has to do now is stay fit and he'll soon be back in the England squad."
Troy Deeney has also praised Smith Rowe for his performances for Fulham.
Smith Rowe has enjoyed something of a resurgence so far this season, and hopefully he can continue to go from strength to strength for Fulham.
