Emile Smith Rowe has already explained when he could leave Arsenal amid West Ham transfer links

Emile Smith Rowe has already named the condition that would see him leave Arsenal amid links with West Ham United. The attacking midfielder has found game time hard to come by this season, starting just once in the Premier League.

Once one of the Gunners' golden boys, Smith Rowe has since fallen down the pecking order amid the presence of Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard and the club's superstar wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Smith Rowe has heavily linked with an exit in the summer, but he decided to stay, only to see his game time stay much the same.

Arteta says he is 'happy to have' the attacking midfielder at the club, but now 23 years of age, Smith Rowe may well feel he is better off moving on to start games regularly. West Ham have been linked with a potential move, but Arsenal will likely require a permanent offer rather than a straight loan deal if they are to offload.

Interestingly, during at interview with The Times during the summer, Smith Rowe spoke about when he may leave Arsenal after being quizzed on his lack of opportunities last season. “It was tough, but we were in a title race and I understand the manager isn’t going to change the team if we’re winning every game,” he said. “I just tried to stay positive and train as well as I could. The other players and Mikel [Arteta] were great with me, kept me feeling connected. But it was tough, a long season. I won’t lie."

Smith Rowe added: “Arsenal are my club and I’m not going to give up until [Arteta] says he doesn’t want me,” he says. “But that’s not the case. He wants me as part of the team and I want to fight for my place and get back in the team.”