‘Looked distressed’: Mikel Arteta handed blow as 22-year-old Arsenal man picks up injury in warm-down – Ornstein

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been handed a fresh blow as Emile Smith Rowe has picked up an injury in the warm-down after the Manchester United game, according to journalist David Ornstein.

The Gunners fell to a 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford today in what was their first loss of the season.

Arteta’s men played well over the course of the 90 minutes but struggled to deal with Erik Ten Hag’s side on the counter attack.

And after suffering his first defeat of the new season, Arteta has now suffered a further blow over the fitness of Smith Rowe.

Smith Rowe picks up injury

The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that Smith Rowe appears to have suffered an injury while warming down after the game today.

The 22-year-old was brought on as a second-half substitute as he replaced Martin Odegaard.

But despite only featuring for a limited period of time, the youngster has now seemingly picked up an injury.

The Arsenal academy product apparently looked distressed as he was accompanied by Arteta’s assistant back to the dressing room.

If Smith Rowe’s injury turns out to be serious, it will be yet another blow for Arteta.

The Spaniard has been hit with midfield injuries over the past two weeks as Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey have been sidelined.

Odegaard was also a doubt before today’s game against United and Arteta clearly took him off to preserve his fitness.

Now, it seems that Smith Rowe could become the latest Arsenal player facing a spell on the sidelines.

The youngster hasn’t started a game this season but as Arteta’s men begin their Europa League campaign on Thursday, it will be a big blow for them. 

The Gunners boss will need plenty of options over the next few weeks, with games coming thick and fast before the World Cup.