Mikel Arteta has provided a positive update on Emile Smith Rowe after the midfielder came off at the weekend with an injury concern.

Emile Smith Rowe went down with an injury in the first half against Leicester City, and had to come off before the break. Mikel Arteta admitted they didn’t know how serious it was after the game, only that it was worrying the player didn’t feel he could continue.

Fortunately, subsequent tests on the problem seem to have ruled out anything that would keep him sidelined long term, according to Arteta.

“Emile had a scan yesterday, it doesn’t look a significant injury but he was in discomfort,” Arteta said. “For the rest, hopefully, everybody should be okay.”

The only other player who was an injury concern ahead of the Leicester City game was Runar Alex Runarsson, who recently suffered a knee strain in training. We still don’t have any clarity on how long that will keep him out for.

Other than that, things are looking pretty good. Smith Rowe seemingly won’t be out for too long, Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney are back, it’s just a matter of managing the squad to ensure they all stay fit now.

That’s not going to be easy. After a break in the current midweek, Arsenal have games every weekend and midweek from March 6th to March 21st, leading into the international break.

If Arsenal continue to progress in the Europa League (and we exclude the March international break), the team will only have two midweeks off between March 6th and the end of the season.

Any players involved in the Euros will then go directly into international friendlies, with no break in between, before heading off to the Euros. It will be a miracle if we avoid further injuries ahead of next season.