Just over two months after completing his loan move to RB Leipzig, Emile Smith Rowe has finally joined up with the Bundesliga club’s first team for training.

Arsenal Emile Smith Rowe celebrates his scoring during UEFA Europa League, Group E, football match Vorskla FC vs Arsenal FC at the Olympiyski Stadium in Kiev on November 29, 2018. (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY / AFP / Getty Images)
Arsenal Emile Smith Rowe celebrates his scoring during UEFA Europa League, Group E, football match Vorskla FC vs Arsenal FC at the Olympiyski Stadium in Kiev on November 29, 2018. (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY / AFP / Getty Images)

Earlier in the campaign, everything seemed to be going Smith Rowe’s way. He was slowly breaking into the first team, scoring three goals in six appearances, and he was starting to look ready to make the step up from academy football for good.

Unfortunately, that’s when the attacking midfielder suffered a groin injury ruling him out for the whole of December. Though it looked like he might return in January, joining the squad against Blackpool, he then suffered a setback and missed the remainder of the month.

Despite his injury concerns, RB Leipzig took a gamble on the 18-year-old, signing him on loan until the end of the season. They’ve had to be patient though, unable to even use the youngster in training. Until now, that is.

https://twitter.com/RBLeipzig_EN/status/1113472979965493248

At last, the Arsenal loanee is back in full training and preparing for his debut in Germany. With the end of the season rapidly approaching, we’ll have to wait and see just how much game time he gets. It’s good to see he’s making progress at least.