Emile Smith Rowe is finally fully fit and ready to feature in the League Cup and Europa League games in the coming weeks, according to reports.
James Benge of football.london reports that Smith Rowe is back to full fitness with Arsenal, and he’s now expected to feature in the League Cup and Europa League games this month.
The Gunners travel to Frankfurt next week to for their opening Europa League group stage fixture, before welcoming Nottingham Forest to the Emirates Stadium the following Tuesday. Then there’s a home tie against Standard Liege on the first Thursday in October.
Considering those matches are intertwined with trips to Watford and Manchester United, as well as a home game against Aston Villa, Arsenal are going to need to rotate and call on every member of their squad to ensure they get as many good results as possible.
As a result, there’s really no better time for Smith Rowe to be making his comeback.
The 19-year-old has made five appearances for the academy this season, building up his minutes on each occasion.
He started with a 45-minute appearance against Blackburn, then 63 minutes against Brighton, 77 against Everton, before playing the full 90 minutes against Northampton Town, scoring one and assisting one in those four outings.
The England u19 international only managed 73 minutes in his most recent game against Derby after a precautionary withdrawal due to a knock. It was nothing serious though, and he’s now ready to go.
It’s been a long journey back from the injury he first sustained last year, but Smith Rowe will now be looking to rediscover his excellent form from the first half of last season.
The teenager had scored three goals in six games for the Arsenal first team before he was ruled out, and he’d caught the eye on every occasion.
One of the top talents in a strong generation of Arsenal academy players, Smith Rowe can play a number 10 role, a box-to-box midfield role, or even on the wings as he did last year. Wherever Unai Emery needs someone to fill in, the Hale End graduate is a good option.