'Really sad' - Mikel Arteta pays emotional tribute to Emile Smith Rowe after 'not getting the best out of him' at Arsenal before Fulham departure

Smith Rowe came through the Arsenal academy, having joined at the age 10, but failed to nail down a regular starting spot at the north London side. He opted to continue his career at Fulham instead, leaving for Craven Cottage in a deal worth a reported fee of up to £34 million ($44m).

Smith Rowe featured just 13 times in the Premier League as Arsenal finished second in the table behind Manchester City, and Arteta admits that he felt he had a responsibility to give him a chance to shine, but the club eventually decided to cash in on him.

Asked if he felt sad to bid farewell to Smith Rowe: "A lot. When I had the talk with Emile, I really felt it. First of all because I have huge gratitude because he came into the team at a tough moment. I think he was the player that made our supporters and the team click, in a way. I don't know how to explain it but that was my feeling. Something changed when he came in the team. He created a different energy straight away. And I have a feeling like 'argh', that I have not got the best out of him. Obviously a lot of things happened in that time. From my side it was really sad, because I know how those boys feel when they are in that building, how hard everyone works to get them close to the first team, so I feel a huge responsibility to give them the chance. And now, can they sustain this level and make us better? That is the idea."

The 24-year-old played the first 64 minutes as Fulham lost 1-0 to Manchester United in their opening Premier League game of the season. He will likely be involved again on Saturday when they come up against Leicester.