Emile Smith Rowe is expected to miss Arsenal’s game against Brentford this weekend, but Reiss Nelson is fit and available.

Emile Smith Rowe in training with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Emile Smith Rowe in training with Arsenal (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Goal report that Emile Smith Rowe is not expected to be fit to face Brentford this weekend, after missing Arsenal’s last couple of games with a groin problem.

The good news is that Reiss Nelson is fully fit and available again after his hamstring issue, so he could be back in the squad at the weekend.

Nelson returned to training with Arsenal last week, but he didn’t make the matchday squad against Everton. U21 winger Amario Cozier-Duberry went in his place.

Elsewhere on the injury front, Mohamed Elneny is out for the season with his knee injury, and Gabriel Jesus remains out despite multiple positive steps towards recovery over the last week.

Having Nelson back will be a boost for the squad, giving Mikel Arteta options to change things on both flanks.

For a while, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka were pretty much the only options on the wings, with teenager Marquinhos and out-of-position Fabio Vieira the only alternatives.

With the addition of Leandro Trossard and the return of Nelson, that looks set to change.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal is challenged by Joao Cancelo and Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on January 27, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal is challenged by Joao Cancelo and Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on January 27, 2023. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

On the subject of Trossard, Goal suggest Mikel Arteta may well decide Saturday’s game is the right time to give the winger his first Premier League start for Arsenal.

With the Manchester City game coming up in the subsequent midweek and Martinelli a bit off the boil, this could be a good opportunity to try that change out.