Arsenal have rejected another bid for academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe...

What's the word?

That's according to The Athletic's ever-reliable David Ornstein, who claims the Midlands side returned with a £30m offer after having had a £25m bid rejected the first time around.

The Gunners are said to be refusing to entertain interest in Smith Rowe's signature and are adamant that he's remaining at the Emirates Stadium.

Smith Rowe has two years to run on his current £20k-per-week contract but has been in talks over a long-term extension, though there has been no breakthrough so far.

Here to stay?

This latest claim from one of the most reliable sources around should  not just come as promising news but it should leave many excited too as it seems as if the 20-year-old England youth international is set to remain an Arsenal player.

The Croydon-born dynamo, who is currently valued at around £45m by CIES Football Observatory, originally joined the North London giants at the age of ten and has progressed into the first team under Mikel Arteta, who has often turned to the youngster for creativity in attack.

After successful loan spells away at RB Leipzig and Huddersfield Town, Smith Rowe provided the Gunners with four goals and seven assists across both domestic and European competitions in 2020/21, whilst he ranked first for chances created having averaged 1.4 key passes per league outing, via WhoScored.

In total, the youngster has provided 14 direct goal contributions in his 45 senior appearances, as per Transfermarkt.

The 6-foot midfielder has also displayed crucial versatility in being able to play through the middle, on the left and up top and that only helps Arteta more in terms of fitting him in as he's able to play pretty much anywhere in the attack.

It's clear that the Spaniard is a huge fan of Smith Rowe, describing him as "extraordinary" to Sky Sports (via the Independent) back in January this year.

The fact that the Gunners' hierarchy are remaining firm in their stance over their talented youth product is hugely encouraging and goes to show how much faith Arteta and co have in him.

As a result, this should leave the Emirates faithful absolutely delighted as it means they should keep hold of their potential star of the future going into the new campaign.

Currently without a no.10, the midfield sensation could easily cement his name down as Arteta's first-choice option in the near future.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Xhaka: Edu could land Arsenal their next Vieira in £49.5m-rated "huge talent"...