Arsenal ready to sacrifice Emile Smith Rowe and splash out Huge some of Money on premier league rare Gem in January – £80m will make the club to consider the offer
Arsenal have been urged to sell Emile Smith Rowe in order to raise funds to sign Ivan Toney. Former Aston Villa captain Gabriel Agbonlahor says the Gunners must do all they can to secure a deal for the Brentford striker next month
Smith Rowe has made just one Premier League start for Arsenal since May 2022. Injuries have been a problem for the attacking midfielder and he only returned from a knee issue last week.
It has been some fall from grace for Smith Rowe, who has dropped down the pecking order at club and international level. Mikel Arteta has often reiterated that the 23-year-old remains a part of his plans.
However, his lack of game time tells a different story. Chelsea were linked with a move for him in the summer and his long-term future appears to be in doubt.
Arsenal are set to be in the market for a striker in January, with Toney near the top of their wishlist. Whether they can afford the fee Brentford would demand for the 27-year-old remains to be seen.
But Agbonlahor believes Arsenal should be proactive and raise funds by selling Smith Rowe. He said on talkSPORT: “If I am Arsenal now, behind the scenes, I would be doing everything I can regarding Financial Fair Play to make it happen.
“What can we do? Can we sell Smith Rowe maybe? Can we sacrifice someone and get £35-£40million for Smith Rowe.”
Arsenal fan and former Tottenham striker Darren Bent questioned whether Arteta should sell Eddie Nketiah as well. He replied: “What about Eddie? Would you part ways with him?”
Agbonlahor believes Arsenal could set up a cash-plus-player deal involving Nketiah and Toney. He added: “Yeah, 100 per cent. If you could (use) Eddie Nketiah and say to Brentford, ‘Here you go’. Here’s £15-20m whatever for Ivan Toney or maybe £30m. 100 per cent.”
Agbonalahor reckons Toney would be the perfect striker to fit into Arteta’s system. He continued: “He can run in behind. He is strong. Did you see the goal where he dinked the keeper from 30 yards? He can finish, he is good in the air, he is good at holding the ball up.
“Imagine him with the runs from Saka and Martinelli down the wings, Odegaard in the middle. Make that happen, because you know Chelsea are going to try and do it.”
