Arsenal player ratings vs Bournemouth + Calafiori in, Smith Rowe out
After what has felt a slow start to the summer window, things are beginning to heat up at Arsenal just in time for the start of pre-season.
Mikel Arteta’s squad got their summer tour of the USA up and running overnight with a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth in Los Angeles (they did win a penalty shootout 5-4 afterwards), but the game was played out amid widespread talk of imminent transfer business taking place.
Riccardo Calafiori’s long-awaited move from Bologna is imminent and the Italian is expected to link up soon with his new team-mates in the States, providing all goes well with his medical.
But there is also significant outgoing news with Emile Smith Rowe close to sealing a move to Fulham in a deal which could eventually reach £35 million.
Smith Rowe is with the squad in Los Angeles, but was an unused substitute against Bournemouth, with Arteta admitting afterwards that he had been left out due to ‘things happening in the background’.
Discussions are ongoing between the clubs and there is still some work to be done on the deal, but the expectation is that Smith Rowe’s exit is now imminent.
I give my thoughts on the Smith Rowe news in my latest Inside Arsenal show, which you can now watch on YouTube or listen to on all the usual podcast platforms.
I also give my reaction to Arsenal’s draw with Bournemouth and give my player ratings.