Emile Smith Rowe is set to be out of action for weeks with a new knee injury, after missing Wednesday’s defeat to West Ham United.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal at Gtech Community Stadium on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Ahead of Arsenal’s match against West Ham United on Wednesday, the club confirmed that Emile Smith Rowe had missed out on the squad due to a knee issue.

Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta confirmed the bad news that the player is set for an extended period on the sidelines.

“He’s got an injury in his knee and he’s going to be out for weeks,” Arteta revealed.

Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe (L) and Bukayo Saka arrive to attend a team training session at Arsenal's training ground in north London on October 23, 2023, ahead of their UEFA Champions League Group B football match against Sevilla FC. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe (L) and Bukayo Saka arrive to attend a team training session at Arsenal’s training ground in north London on October 23, 2023, ahead of their UEFA Champions League Group B football match against Sevilla FC. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)

Smith Rowe had only recently achieved a sufficient level of sharpness to break back into the Arsenal team after his injury problems last season.

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The 23-year-old made his first start of the season in Arsenal’s opening League Cup game against Brentford, and he followed that up with his first Premier League start at the weekend.

Playing 73 minutes against Sheffield United, Smith Rowe seemed to have come through the game unscathed, even providing an assist to cap things off.

But just a few days later, the England international is already out of action again.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal looks on prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal looks on prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 21, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

After his 37-game season in 2021/22, playing well over 2,000 minutes, Smith Rowe has racked up just 425 senior minutes between 2022/23 and 2023/24. It looks like that number won’t be increasing for a while.

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