Fulham star Emile Smith Rowe says leaving Arsenal was the "best thing for me" and that he turns "into a monster" on the pitch.

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• Smith Rowe swapped Arsenal for Fulham
• Move was the "best" thing for his happiness
• Says he turns into a "monster" on the pitch

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 24-year-old joined Fulham from Arsenal in August for a reported fee of up to £34 million ($44m). The attacking midfielder was struggling for game time at the Gunners, so finding a fresh start was key to keeping him "happy". The England international added he is "shy" off the pitch, but a different animal when it comes to game time.

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  WHAT EMILE SMITH ROWE SAID

  He told The Telegraph: “But for the last two seasons I haven’t played as much as I wanted to and it was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to be happy again. I wanted to be playing. Sometimes you have to think of the best for yourself. I always want to put my club first but at the same time I have to make myself happy. It was probably the toughest decision I’ve had to make (to leave). But I spoke to my family and we decided it was the best thing for me.”

  Smith Rowe added: “I kind of just turn into a monster. I just try to let it all out. I just try to put in as good a performance as I can. I try to play every game as if it is my last. I just try to give everything for the team. That’s important.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Smith Rowe was at Arsenal for 14 years but he was a fringe player under manager Mikel Arteta. Now, he has been given a new lease of life at Fulham, scoring two goals and bagging an assist in nine matches in all competitions. Now he is playing regularly, the former Huddersfield Town loanee may be able to reignite his England career.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Smith Rowe is likely to next be in action for Marco Silva's Fulham side – who sit eighth in the Premier League – when they host high-flying Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

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Category: News