Emile Smith Rowe hasn’t suffered a muscular injury and he’s not expected to be out for the long term with his recent groin pain, according to reports.

manchester united v arsenal fc premier league 1
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal warms up prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on September 04, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The Athletic report that Emile Smith Rowe isn’t suffering with a muscular injury. As per a previous report from James Benge, Smith Rowe is instead experiencing pain in his groin related to growth. This same issue was what limited him to hardly any minutes on loan with RB Leipzig.

The problem reportedly requires careful management and avoiding rushing the midfielder back to action, but the club and the player’s camp don’t believe it’s a long-term issue. They aren’t expecting it to affect his bid for a World Cup place.

Last week, Mikel Arteta said of the injury: “He felt some discomfort again in an area that he’s been dealing with now for a few weeks. He wasn’t comfortable after the game and he hasn’t trained in the last few days so he’s out of the squad.”

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The positive slant on this news is that you’d imagine Smith Rowe will eventually get over these growing pains. Though it’s frustrating in the short term, it’s hopefully something he can get past with time, unlike many injuries that only ever worsen.

But right now, it means it’s difficult for the 22-year-old to get a run of games going. Whatever his camp say, they must realise deep down that this isn’t going to help his World Cup chances.

Arsenal's English midfielder Emile Smith Rowe (L) and Arsenal's French defender William Saliba celebrate after winning at the end of the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on August 20, 2022. - Arsenal won 3 - 0 against Bournemouth. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English midfielder Emile Smith Rowe (L) and Arsenal’s French defender William Saliba celebrate after winning at the end of the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Arsenal at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on August 20, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Smith Rowe was already somewhat on the fringes of the England squad. Now has to break in during the final round of club fixtures before the actual tournament, without another international break to ease his way in.

To end on a positive, that gives the young midfielder plenty of motivation to impress with Arsenal in October and November. If he could return to fitness and show his best form during a tricky period for his club, it would be great news for all parties.