Mikel Arteta provides Emile Smith Rowe update before Arsenal clash

Add as preferred source on Google

Mikel Arteta has suggested that there is a chance that Emile Smith Rowe could make his return from injury on Thursday, in comments reported on Arsenal’s official website.

Smith Rowe missed the draw with Burnley at the weekend after limping off during the hugely impressive win at Leicester late last month.

And Arteta admitted after the victory at the King Power Stadium that he was concerned about the 20-year-old (via Football London).

He did miss their next game. But it does appear that Arsenal could receive a huge boost before their Europa League tie with Olympiakos as Arteta confirmed that the youngster is not far away from being ready.

“Yes, he’s close to returning and he’s going to have a full session today to see if he can be involved in tomorrow’s game,” he said, as reported by the club’s official website. “After training we will know exactly where we are with him.”

It would be fantastic for Arsenal to have Smith Rowe back in the coming days. Of course, they will want to secure a positive result in midweek. But Arteta will also have one eye on the North London derby on Sunday.

Only Willian has provided more assists in the Premier League for Arsenal than Smith Rowe. And the youngster was at the heart of the club’s fightback around the turn of the year.

He has maybe struggled for consistency in the last couple of months. But Arteta would surely love to have him up his sleeve for what could be a season-defining period for the Gunners.