Arsenal outcast who was sold in summer is 'better than Gabriel Martinelli' and is 'needed' more than 'overrated' Bukayo Saka as Gunners continue struggles in 2024/25

Arsenal sold Smith-Rowe in the summer to Fulham for a reported figure of £34 million ($44m) as the attacking midfielder signed a five-year-deal at Craven Cottage. So far this season, Smith Rowe has enjoyed some excellent form under Marco Silva and has scored three goals and provided two assists in 11 games, with Fulham currently in seventh-place in the Premier League standings.

Arsenal, on the other hand, have been struggling to find the same form they have possessed over the last two seasons. The Gunners have struggled for control in midfield as chances have been hard to come by, and former Manchester United defender Parker has criticised Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli as he told Arsenal they made a mistake by selling Smith Rowe. The Gunners are currently nine points behind leaders Liverpool.

Speaking to bettingexpert.com [via football365]: "I think players like him (Emile Smith-Rowe) are what Arsenal need more than Martinelli and Saka. Saka is a bit overrated and he always seems injured, especially if Arsenal is behind in a match.

"Him and Odegaard together would have been a great duo, but again, I think it was the right decision for him to leave, and also for Arsenal at the time, even though things might have changed now. He is a brilliant player, but I don’t think Arsenal are regretting that they sold him. It’s always easy to say that they should have kept him because of the injuries, but he wanted more game time and he couldn’t get that at Arsenal.

"But I think he is better than Martinelli, even though they are not similar players. He is just so good and the way he runs with the ball and the way the ball never leaves the grass. He is a wonderful player with a great future."

The Smith Rowe ship has already sailed and there is no time for Mikel Arteta to mull over Parker's words as he will prepare to lead Arsenal in their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, November 23.