<p>The 24-year-old defender has seen his fame topple since moving to Scotland. His career has taken a massive rise, and in the mix of that, he got the opportunity to debut for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.</p>
<p>However, with Arsenal housing Ricardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie, Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera, William Saliba and Gabriel, a move for Fernandez makes no sense according to Smith.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full”><img decoding=”async” width=”4000″ height=”2666″ src=”https://www.afrik-foot.com/en-ng/thumbor/jHbY10PAl7tV5Tp_VJDc9ceeIf8=/4000×2666/smart/filters:format(webp)/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.afrik-foot.com%2Fen-ng%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago1074632732.jpg” alt=”Sky Sports commentator and former Arsenal player Alan Smith” class=”wp-image-914052″/><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Sky Sports commentator and former Arsenal player Alan Smith. Copyright: ImagoxGrahamxHunt</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading”>Alan Smith casts doubts over Fernandez’s Arsenal move</h2>
<p>While the Gunners haven’t tabled an official bid to Rangers, there’s a high chance that Fernandez wouldn’t be at Ibrox next season.</p>
<p>Still, Smith doubts the Emirates will be the destination of the young Super Eagles star.</p>
<blockquote class=”wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow”>
<p>“I don’t see why they’d need a centre-half anyway,” the 63-year-old said in quotes revealed by <strong><a href=”https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/rangers/latest-rangers-news/ex-arsenal-man-pours-cold-water-on-rangers-link-as-no-comparison-verdict-given-on-steven-gerrard-8464879″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>the Scotsman</a></strong>.</p>
</blockquote>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full”><img decoding=”async” width=”4032″ height=”2688″ src=”https://www.afrik-foot.com/en-ng/thumbor/6ROJfWP1jidO8QT1kdnpFbmyiH0=/4032×2688/smart/filters:format(webp)/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.afrik-foot.com%2Fen-ng%2F2026%2F04%2Fimago1071953803.jpg” alt=”Emmanuel Fernandez of Rangers” class=”wp-image-913202″/><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Emmanuel Fernandez of Rangers. Copyright: ImagoxJamiexJohnston</figcaption></figure>
<blockquote class=”wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow”>
<p>“Looking at his previous clubs, Spalding United on loan, Peterborough. </p>
<p>“Yes, he’s had a good season at Rangers, but who knows whether he can continue that kind of form at a higher level. </p>
<p>“I’d be surprised if Arsenal went for him given that, [Jurrian] Timber can play in the middle; plus they’ve got [Cristhian] Mosquera, so they’ve got good cover in the middle,” the 13-cap retired England International concluded.</p>
</blockquote>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full”><img decoding=”async” width=”2961″ height=”1974″ src=”https://www.afrik-foot.com/en-ng/thumbor/MoeBFe7UXxmUjWNrDnGnxnOAhBU=/2961×1974/smart/filters:format(webp)/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.afrik-foot.com%2Fen-ng%2F2026%2F02%2Fimago1071969134.jpg” alt=”Nigeria and Rangers star Emmanuel Fernandez” class=”wp-image-904909″/><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Nigeria and Rangers star Emmanuel Fernandez. Copyright: xJamiexJohnstonxIMAGO</figcaption></figure>
<p>Fernandez has been voted as Rangers’ Men’s player of the Year, and was drafted into the SPFL team of the season.</p>
