Arsenal news: Emile Smith Rowe reveals ‘toughest decision’ before exit

Arsenal play Bournemouth on Saturday night – before Manchester City and Liverpool – meaning they have the chance to go top of the league temporarily and put pressure on their rivals

Arsenal are back in action as Mikel Arteta prepares for a trip to Bournemouth, bidding to continue his side’s impressive recent form and keep them in the title conversation.

The Gunners have won their last four games in a row and with the second international break now over they have a real chance to get a foothold in the race for the Premier League crown.

Arsenal play the Cherries on Saturday night – before Manchester City and Liverpool – meaning they have the chance to go top of the league temporarily and put pressure on their rivals.

Mirror Football has gathered some of the biggest news and developments coming out of Arsenal over the last 24 hours as the team prepare for a trip to the south coast.

Smith Rowe explains decision to leave the Emirates

Emile Smith Rowe’s exit from Arsenal certainly was a tough one to take for fans who had grown to love their academy graduate – who is now flourishing as one of the key players for Fulham.

The playmaker has started six times for the Whites this season, scoring twice and assisting one, and though he is thriving at Craven Cottage he has reflected on “the toughest decision I’ve had to make” – admitting he needed to be “happy again”.

He told the Telegraph: “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, reports Football London.

“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.”

Arteta says Arsenal stars happy about Tuchel

The Arsenal boss has waded into the debate over England’s new boss Thomas Tuchel, revealing his English players were delighted when they heard the ex-Chelsea boss would be taking charge.

The Spaniard said his players would “learn a lot” under the German and defended him from criticism that he is not English, claiming that the team should feel “pride” that a top level manager wants to take charge.

“He is one of the best coaches in the world in my opinion without a doubt. His experience, the way his teams are set up and very exciting times. I spoke to a few of the players and straight away they had smiles on their faces, that’s always a good sign.”

“I understand it can feel sad for some people not to have an English manager there and the history tells you as well how important this could be, but I think I would take a lot of pride that a lot of managers would do anything to become the English manager.

Calafiori explains how Arteta won him over

Riccardo Calafiori has wasted little time becoming an important player at Arsenal since his £42m move to Bologna this summer after the Gunners won the race for his signature.

The Italian full-back shone at Euro 2024 and Calafiori said Arteta made a point of calling him to sell the project at the Emirates, praising him for the “humble” conversation. Calafiori has gone on to make eight appearances so far – scoring one brilliant long-range strike in the 202 draw against Manchester City.

“He first wrote to me and then said can I call you,” he revealed. “It was so humble and so easy on the phone. He wanted to explain the situation and what they thought about me, what I could improve. He tried to convince me but I was already convinced. Not just because it is Arsenal but because it is Mikel.”

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