Emile Smith Rowe is reportedly in line to start for Arsenal in the FA Cup against Oxford United, with the England international set to make his long-awaited return to the pitch after months out on the sidelines.
According to the Athletic, the 22-year-old winger feature for the Gunners next Monday in Oxfordshire against the League One side, with Arsenal hopeful of progressing to the next round of the FA Cup against Oxford following last year’s disappointment in the competition.
Yet the return of Smith Rowe is a welcome boost for Arsenal, with the Hale End academy graduate making just four substitute appearances all season before going under the knife to solve a long-standing groin issue, with the attacker now finally set to return to action next week.
Lauded by Mikel Arteta as a ‘huge talent’, Smith Rowe’s absence has been felt, especially this week against Newcastle United where Arsenal had zero senior attacking options on the bench with Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson also out through injury.
Yet Smith Rowe is now set to make his return at last next week, with Arsenal also hopeful that a deal to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk can finally be secured with the north London club in desperate need of attacking options heading into the second-half of the season.
Indeed, Smith Rowe was Arsenal’s top scorer in the Premier League last season, and the England international finally returning from injury is exactly the sort of boost the Gunners would have wanted after this week’s frustrating 0-0 draw against Newcastle.
Arsenal have to be careful with Smith Rowe ahead of FA Cup clash with Oxford
Smith Rowe was one of Arsenal’s best players last season and one of the breakout talents of the Premier League campaign. And the attacker finally coming back to match fitness is a huge boost for the Gunners, though Arteta must be careful to not overuse the winger.
After all, there could easily be a situation where Arteta is forced to play Smith Rowe too much too soon, which could potentially result in the Arsenal no. 10 being out injured for another extended period of time, with the FA Cup clash against Oxford a good comeback test for the 22-year-old.
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