Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe transfer dilemma amid loan links and Kai Havertz decision

It's been a tough 18 months for Emile Smith Rowe at Arsenal. The Gunners star looked set to become a regular player in the first XI after becoming the first Hale End graduate since Cesc Fabregas to score 10 goals in a season back in the 2021/22 campaign.

However, he failed to start a game in the Premier League in the 2022/23 season after missing most of the opening half of the season thanks to a groin injury. He came back to a squad flying high, and was only able to make seven appearances from the bench in the league.

In the summer, Smith Rowe would likely have been hoping for more chances in the coming season, especially following the departure of Granit Xhaka. However, Kai Havertz's £65million arrival from Chelsea have only increased the competition for places in both the midfield and attack.

Another knee injury saw him miss a key month of action over November and December. However, he has still made just two starts in all competitions this season, a problem for both he and the Gunners with the 23-year-old having another two-and-a-half years on his contract. Now there are rumours of interest from West Ham in a short-term deal.

With his transfer value only decreasing with every passing week on the substitutes' bench, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal face a dilemma over the England international. Do they allow him to leave on a short-term deal to try and get more football and increase his value in the process? Or keep him in north London and hope he can work his way into the team and avoid leaving themselves short if there are more injuries?

For his part, Arteta addressed the situation in his press conference ahead of the clash against Crystal Palace. «Emile is Emile,» Arteta said. «We're really happy to have him. He needs