Arsenal were very surprised by Aston Villa’s bids for Emile Smith Rowe in the summer, and they laughed both of them off immediately.

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League - Emirates Stadium Arsenals Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their side s second goal of the game with team-mate Emile Smith Rowe left during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday September 26, 2021.
Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their second goal of the game with team-mate Emile Smith Rowe (left) during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday September 26, 2021.

Just three months ago, Arsenal still hadn’t officially confirmed a new contract for Emile Smith Rowe. It feels like a lifetime ago now, but there was some uncertainty over the young midfielder’s future this summer.

Part of that came from Aston Villa’s two bids, one of £25m and one of £30m. The Telegraph now report that the Arsenal hierarchy were surprised by the first bid, and baffled by the second.

The Gunners laughed both bids off, swiftly rejecting them and making it clear Smith Rowe would not be available at any price. Not long after that, the 21-year-old had his new deal with Arsenal, extending to 2026.

Smith Rowe has since proven a key part of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side. He’s appeared in every Premier League game this season, starting seven of the eight, and he also made an appearance and scored in the League Cup third round.

It’s no wonder Arsenal had no interest in selling a 21-year-old homegrown first-team starter to a Premier League club for £30m. Hopefully Smith Rowe can remind Villa why he’s worth more than that on Friday.