Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of Emile Smith Rowe, who limped off during the 3-1 win over Leicester City last weekend.
The playmaker went down with a muscle injury midway through towards the end of the first-half before the Gunners embarked on a stellar comeback at a ground they had failed to win at since 2015.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with Burnley, the Spaniard sounded quite optimistic over a quick return for the Croydon-born youngster.
Arteta said: “Emile had a scan yesterday, it doesn’t look a significant injury but he was in discomfort.”
Who should play in the No. 10 role?
Martin Odegaard
Emile Smith Rowe
The ace’s form in recent weeks have dipped, however, his energy and a level of effort makes him a valuable asset to the starting XI, thus allowing supporters to breathe a sigh of relief. There was a fear when the Croydon-born star went down with his injury that he could be facing weeks on the sidelines especially as it was a muscle issue he’s suffered before.
Since the signing of Martin Odegaard, Smith Rowe has been shifted out to the right-wing with Arteta preferring the Norwegian in the attacking midfield role. He’s yet to impress for the Gunners, showing nothing like the form the Englishman produced during his period in the number 10 role.
In his limited appearances for the club, the Real Madrid loanee averages fewer key passes per game than his 20-year-old colleague. It’s a stark reminder for Arteta that despite the hype surrouding Odegaard, Smith Rowe proves to be better suited to the role behind the striker especially after his displays there earlier this season.
In other news, Arsenal’s failure to secure Balogun’s future is baffling due to this reason.
