Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that Emile Smith Rowe is back in light training but he won’t be available to face Brentford this weekend.
The midfielder picked up a thigh injury last month, having only recently returned to action after groin surgery, but Arteta says the 22-year-old is on the mend, along with Reiss Nelson and Gabriel Jesus:
“The ones that they were long time like Emile, Reiss and Gabi they are closer. They started to do some work outside but they are not ready to contribute yet.”
Supporters on Twitter are not surprised by this latest development but many are hoping that Smith Rowe will be back in action as soon as possible:
Ohh what a surprise
— Conner (@conner909) February 9, 2023
Waters wet
— Reece Drury (@ReeceDrury6) February 9, 2023
We miss him so much
— Ø8 (@thearsenalstuf) February 9, 2023
Bro 😭 I just want to watch him play again
— Zachary Lebwohl (@ZacharyLebwohl) February 9, 2023
I’m not happy about this
— Mduduzi Mbatha (@sir_ntshikazi) February 10, 2023
This young ESR is really having a bad season. Feel for him.
— Pedro Brendan (@BrendanPedro) February 9, 2023
Should’ve been a very important year for him. Shame he’s missed the whole season
— Jed Newsearlby (@JN_86_) February 9, 2023
bro is gonna end up being another jack wilshere
— mkmustaqim (@AFCMstqm16) February 9, 2023
give the lad time to fully recover. its not like we are doing badly without him
— Saka 🐐 (@andre__gunner) February 9, 2023
It has been an extremely frustrating season for Smith Rowe, who has not started a match in any competition for the Gunners.
While there is now hope that he will make his return very soon, the medical team will want to be very careful to ensure he doesn’t suffer any more setbacks. Whether he’ll make the bench for the crucial title clash versus Manchester City on Wednesday, we shall have to wait and see.
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