According to reports from Sky Sports, Arsenal youngster Emile Smith Rowe is set to leave the Gunners to join Bundesliga side RB Leipzig for the rest of the season.
EXCLUSIVE: Emile Smith Rowe will join RB Leipzig on loan until the end of the season. The player is currently en route to Germany to complete his medical #AFC https://t.co/stEIpnoTkg
— Tom Kershaw (@trlkershaw) January 30, 2019
Sky Sports further reported that Smith Rowe is scheduled to have a medical with the Bundesliga side on Thursday morning and flew out to Germany on Wednesday evening.
Smith Rowe has had limited game time in Arsenal colours, bagging only six senior appearances this season. As a young lad, Smith Rowe will want to get as much game time as possible and Leipzig will provide him with that.
Reiss Nelson’s move to Hoffenheim is a testament to the fact that Bundesliga clubs are willing to give youngsters a lot of game time.
The Arsenal loanee moved to Bundesliga at the start of the season and has made 13 appearances for Hoffenheim since, scoring 6 goals in the process.
BREAKING: @Arsenal's Emile Smith-Rowe having medical at @RBLeipzig_EN ahead of loan move. #SSN
More on Deadline Day LIVE! https://t.co/9RL1gV0M0U #DeadlineDay pic.twitter.com/VLtC2EDRfI
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 31, 2019
Emile Smith Rowe recently signed a long-term contract with Arsenal but he cannot hope to become a regular for the Gunners at the moment with players like Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Lucas Torreira, and now Denis Suarez all vying for the attacking midfielder role.
As such, the move to Bundesliga can do wonders for the youngster where he will get more chances to sharpen his skill and get some much-required match experience to become a matured player.
Football.london reports that Smith Rowe will most likely sign a loan deal with the Bundesliga club but there will be no option for a permanent transfer at the end of the loan period.
Academy chief Per Mertesacker said,
“Some Bundesliga clubs are very interesting for us and the way [Nelson] could make an impact at Hoffenheim was by starting on the bench but then scoring immediately.”
He further added,
“Through scoring those goals, he gained trust from the coach, from the fans, by learning some German and earning the right to start and make an impact. I think he has done a brilliant job but that all fell into place because he wanted to go. He had a great opportunity but you need to take these opportunities and make sure you learn from those moments. Instead of being a first-team player between the under-23s and the first team, this is something different.”
Emil Smith-Rowe will probably pop up in the wide-playmaker role for Leipzig and will have opportunities to play. Adams, Haidara, Kampl, Demme and Ilsanker have the two central midfield positions covered. Fast-paced high-pressing and quick attacking brand of football. #afc
— Chaka Simbeye (@chaka_simbeye) January 30, 2019
Arsenal look to hold on to the future stars and only sending them out on loans to get match experience will work for a great cause for the future of the club.
Arsenal now face reigning champions Manchester City as they travel to Ethiad Stadium this weekend.
