Emile Smith Rowe, the Fulham midfielder and former Arsenal player, has shared his feelings about the upcoming match against his old club.
The 24-year-old, who transferred to Marco Silva's team in August on a long-term deal, has been an ever-present figure for Fulham this season, contributing three goals in 14 Premier League appearances.
"It’s a massive game for me personally," Smith Rowe expressed on Fulham's official website. "At the start of the season, in my head I’ve always been thinking about playing against my former team. It’s going to be an exciting game."
He anticipates a mix of emotions when facing the Gunners, acknowledging it will be "a bit weird" and potentially emotional due to his long history with them.
However, he emphasised his commitment to Fulham: "But I have to make sure I do the job for Fulham."
Fulham are coming off a strong performance, having beaten Brighton 3-1, and will be eager to replicate last season's success against Arsenal, where they drew at the Emirates and won at Craven Cottage on New Year’s Eve. Smith Rowe praised both his current manager Silva and his previous boss Arteta as "very demanding" and clear in their tactical expectations.
With Arsenal sitting third and aiming for their fourth consecutive league win, Silva remarked in a press conference: "No-one surprises anyone in the Premier League any more.
"You know how Mikel and the Arsenal team respect everybody in this competition, they know that it’s really tough to play and win games at this level.
"But I really believe that it’s going to be even more difficult (than last season).
"Firstly, because with the game last night, it’s going to be [a] really short [turnaround], and because they are in a great moment, definitely."
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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