Emile Smith Rowe is in line to start for Arsenal against Sporting this week as the Gunners face injury problems in attack.
That’s according to the London Evening Standard, who claim that Smith Rowe is primed to start in Thursday’s Europa League clash.
It’s claimed that striker Eddie Nketiah is set to miss out against Sporting and even against Fulham this weekend due to an ankle injury.
Gabriel Jesus remains out and that means Leandro Trossard started as a striker against Bournemouth on Saturday.
However, the Belgian went off injured in the first half and isn’t expected to recover in time to play against Sporting.
That means Arsenal will be down to just Smith Rowe as an attacking option in what is far from ideal for Mikel Arteta and co.
The only other option would be for Reiss Nelson to play out wide with Gabriel Martinelli up top, which may be something for Arteta to consider.
Mikel Arteta is open to Emile Smith Rowe playing up front for Arsenal
Smith Rowe is only just coming back from injury himself and whilst he came on for Trossard on Saturday, he was substituted in the second half.
Smith Rowe appears to be on a limit in terms of his minutes and it’s unclear just how long he can actually manage against Sporting.
The 22-year-old hasn’t started a single game in any competition for the Arsenal first team this season having struggled with injuries.
Smith Rowe has managed just 104 minutes across seven substitute appearances in the Premier League.
Now all of a sudden, Smith Rowe is being relied upon as a makeshift striker – or possibly playing on the left of the Arsenal front three.
Arteta seems comfortable with this idea though.
The Arsenal boss told the club’s official website on Saturday that Smith Rowe can play up front and he is happy to move players around if needed.
Unless Trossard makes a miraculous recovery in the coming days, Smith Rowe may be in line for a key role in Portugal.
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