Emile Smith Rowe will miss Arsenal’s FA Cup match against Manchester City at the Etihad due to a thigh injury.

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

Emile Smith Rowe recently returned to playing after a four-month absence due to surgery on a groin problem but is not with the travelling party for Friday’s match in Manchester.

The withdrawal is reportedly a precautionary measure and Mikel Arteta hopes that Smith Rowe will recover quickly in time for the next league match against Everton according to various sources.

Arteta has previously emphasized the importance of having Smith Rowe, who can play various positions including attacking midfielder, winger, and forward, available for the team’s second half of the season.

“We need him fit and at his best, and when we have that, we have an incredible player that we have missed a lot in the last few months”, Arteta said this month when asked about Smith Rowe.

“He can play as an attacking midfielder, as a winger and even as a nine; I think he’s played there before.”

Smith Rowe had a successful season last year, scoring 10 league goals and earning his first England national team cap.