Arsenal have been dealt another cruel injury blow as Emile Smith Rowe has undergone surgery on a groin injury.
The Gunners have a growing list of injury issues ahead of Saturday's North London derby vs Tottenham, with Smith Rowe now ruled out of that clash and for several weeks to come. A statement on the club's website confirmed: "In recent months, Emile Smith Rowe has been experiencing discomfort in his groin, which has limited his training and match appearances.
"Following a significant setback at our Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 4, and after further specialist consultations and discussions with our medical team, Emile underwent surgery to repair a damaged tendon in his groin.
"This successful surgery took place in London in the past few days and Emile’s rehabilitation programme is already underway. We are hopeful that Emile will return to full training in December.
"Everyone at the club will now be supporting and working hard with Emile to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible."
Smith Rowe has made just four appearances for Arsenal this season, all from the substitutes' bench and totalling around one half of match time. His latest showing against United lasted just 17 minutes but has proved to be the final blow that forced Smith Rowe to go under the knife.
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted after the clash at Old Trafford that he was concerned about Arsenal's inability to get Smith Rowe on the field more often and said the club was working to rectify the situation. “I am concerned about the fact that we don’t have him available and when he’s been trying to train he’s not been feeling 100% fit or pain free,” Arteta said. “This is the main concern and we have to find a solution to that. We’re trying to do that.”
It will be particularly frustrating to the 22-year-old, who forced his way into the England squad last season but was ruled out of the latest round of internationals and now will not be on the plane for the World Cup in Qatar in November.
Speaking earlier this month, Arteta added: "Very frustrating. He’s a kid that loves playing football. It’s the biggest thing in his life. And when he’s not capable of doing that, especially after the run of games and performances that he had with us the year before, it’s just difficult.
"But injuries are part of football that you’re going to get at some stage of your career. It’s how you face those difficult moments and now you make the next step.”
Arsenal are juggling a number of other potential absentees as they prepare for the Premier League returning with a fierce clash against rivals Tottenham in store this weekend. Mohamed Elneny is also ruled out of the fixture, while there are question marks over the availability of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey, Cedric Soares and Reiss Nelson.
