Mikel Arteta shares update on Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Emile Smith Rowe has suffered a new injury problem in his knee.

Emile Smith Rowe has got an ‘issue’ in his knee, hence his exclusion from the Arsenal squad against West Ham United.

That is the latest update from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who has been quoted by Football London as saying that Smith Rowe has a new problem.

Smith Rowe started against Sheffield United over the weekend and may have been expecting to feature against West Ham United in the Carabao Cup tonight.

The Arsenal lineup emerged with no Smith Rowe in sight though; not in the lineup and not on the bench either.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta shares Emile Smith Rowe ‘issue’

Sadly, it seems that Smith Rowe is now nursing another injury problem.

The Arsenal playmaker has struggled to gain momentum since a groin injury suffered in 2022.

Smith Rowe didn’t start a single game last season and just when he was given a chance, he has now picked up another problem.

Gunners boss Arteta has now opened up on Smith Rowe’s situation, noting that he is suffering a problem with his knee.

Arteta claims that Smith Rowe was feeling pain after the Sheffield United clash and the injury is a ‘big worry’ as Arsenal look to asses his latest blow.

“We’ve got an issue with him. He felt something in his knee and he started to feel some pain after the game and we are assessing it but yeah, a big worry with him.”

My view: Smith Rowe is desperately unlucky

Smith Rowe was finally given an opportunity on Saturday and he certainly showed promise.

The 23-year-old recorded an assist whilst also chipping in with a shot on target, an interception, one blocked shot and two successful aerial duels.

This should have been the springboard for Smith Rowe to really kick on and nail down a role in an Arsenal midfield which doesn’t have a nailed-on starter alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

Instead, Smith Rowe has picked up another injury and it looks like any momentum will now be halted once again.

Arsenal fans love Smith Rowe and want him to succeed, but Arteta may be increasingly tempted to offload him in 2024 if he can’t rely on the Englishman.