Arsenal icon David Seaman fires stern warning to Smith Rowe after transfer links

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Arsenal goalkeeping hero David Seaman has warned Emile Smith Rowe that the grass is not always greener elsewhere. The Hale End academy graduate is struggling for regular minutes under Mikel Arteta after being courted by Chelsea during the summer transfer window.

Smith Rowe’s breakthrough into the senior team was met with excitement from fans. The attacking midfielder debuted shortly after his 18th birthday, but a sequence of injuries stunted his progress.

Despite bagging 10 Premier League goals in 2021/22, Smith Rowe took a step back the following season, with only 12 goalless appearances to show for his efforts. This campaign could be a similar story unless he proves to Arteta that he is worthy of a spot in the starting XI.

Chelsea were primed to pounce in the summer as they enquired about Smith Rowe’s availability before eventually plumping for Cole Palmer.

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And Seaman, who made 564 appearances for Arsenal during his playing days, has warned the 23-year-old that leaving the Gunners could turn out to be one of his major regrets.

“He’s starting to get on now, his fitness levels should be top quality,” he told Express Sport. “He’s had injuries. He’ll be dying to get on the pitch, but it shouldn’t be a case of ‘Oh, I’m not playing, shall I go away?’. Trust me, when you leave Arsenal, you realise how good Arsenal is. It’s a fantastic club. I don’t want to see players like that, who have come through the ranks, leave the club.”

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Smith Rowe was rewarded for his patience with a start in the Carabao Cup win over Brentford on Wednesday night. Reiss Nelson’s early goal proved decisive in the third-round contest, and Smith Rowe put 82 minutes on the board before the 1-0 victory was confirmed.

It remains to be seen whether exit links resurface when the transfer window opens again in January. But Seaman feels that more opportunities to impress should be on the horizon, having witnessed the extent to which Arteta and co manage game time to minimise injuries.

“I go into Arsenal every week and coach with the youth team goalkeepers, and I see all the prep that goes on,” he continued. “All the levels, even in training, are monitored. The guys know what they’re like fatigue-wise, whether they need an extra break.

“It’s the same in games, especially in the first team. They’re really well-monitored. That’s what you have to keep an eye out for. If they’re getting overloaded, the risk of injuries start coming in.”

Seaman spoke to Express Sport in association with the British Heart Foundation, having taken part in their campaign to raise awareness for hidden heart disease ahead of World Heart Day on September 29.

“Heart disease is one of the world’s biggest killers and the worst thing is that you often don’t know you have a problem until it’s too late,” he said. “Over 200 people have given their time to support this campaign, with each empty seat representing a lost fan, a lost heart, an unfinished ending – it’s been a very poignant moment to be part of.

“For the football community and beyond, the British Heart Foundation’s lifesaving research offers hope to those impacted by heart disease. By shining a spotlight on heart disease this September, we can bring hidden heart conditions into focus and fund research breakthroughs to prevent more families living with that gaping hole left by the loss of a loved one.”

Ahead of World Heart Day this September, the British Heart Foundation and David Seaman are shining a spotlight on hidden heart conditions. To find out more or donate, visit spotlighton.bhf.org.uk

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