Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has been reportedly ruled out of their FA Cup fourth round tie against Manchester City on Friday night after picking up a thigh injury in training.
The 22-year-old has only just returned from a long injury lay-off that saw him sit out for four months after going under the knife for a groin problem – with the season then taking a pause for the World Cup.
He returned for the first time since September in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Oxford United in the last round of the FA Cup this month – with manager Mikel Arteta slowly easing him back into the side.
Emile Smith Rowe has reportedly been ruled out of Arsenal’s FA Cup tie against Man City
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Smith Rowe played his first Arsenal game in four months in their 3-0 win over Oxford United this month
He only came on for 15 minutes against the League One side after being brought on for Bukayo Saka – and then came on in the dying minutes of their 2-0 win over rivals Tottenham last week.
Now Smith Rowe is said to have suffered a new blow after pulling up with a thigh problem in training, report the Evening Standard.
However, the issue is not thought to be serious and not related to the previous groin problem – with Arsenal taking the decision to leave him out of the trip to the Etihad as a precautionary mesasure.
The Arsenal side were pictured travelling to City this week but Smith Rowe was a notable absentee, with the Mirror claiming he was not seen getting off the bus.
Smith Rowe’s absence from the game is seen as precautionary after picking up a thigh issue
Smith Rowe discussed his injury nightmare earlier this month, saying he was relieved to have finally put the problem behind him having struggled for years with a groin injury.
‘A lot of people might not know, but I have had this injury since I was 18, 19,’ he said.
‘It has been quite hard to deal with it over the years. But I am really happy that it is just finally over. I had a successful surgery and I am really feeling really good,’ Smith Rowe said.
‘It was the exact same pain from back then, which has been quite hard to manage. Obviously a lot of people might not know about that from over the years. But I am just happy to come out the other side fully fit… I am just going to kick on from here.
‘It has been difficult being out for this long. I don’t think I have had this (long a lay-off) before and it has been tough watching the boys.
‘It was really tough, but the whole team was around me. The manager (Mikel Arteta) really helped me and obviously I had my family back home supporting me. So it was really tough, but I managed to get through it and I am just happy I’m fully fit now.’
The injury meant Smith Rowe – who made his England debut in November 2021 – was forced to watch the World Cup from home.
Smith Rowe’s return comes at a good time for Arsenal to boost them in their push for the title
‘Obviously you always want to play for your country,’ he added. ‘But at the same time, I had to do what is right for my body. I am still young, so I will keep working hard to get more opportunities for the national team. But right now, I just need to focus on Arsenal and getting some more minutes.’
The 22-year-old’s return – should his injury prove to be minor – comes at a good time for Arsenal after losing Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson.
He will hope to add another string to Arteta’s bow and give them another dimension after going five points clear of Man City at the top of the Premier League.