Emile Smith Rowe looks to be edging closer to his Arsenal return after the club posted a video of the talented youngster in full training on their social media.
The 22-year-old hasn't featured since September's 3-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford, struggling with a niggling groin problem before eventually undergoing surgery on the issue later that month. In his absence, Mikel Arteta's side have been firing on all cylinders, currently sitting top of the Premier League table, five points clear of second-placed Manchester United.
Next up for the Gunners is an FA Cup third-round clash against League 1 outfit Oxford United and a recent video posted on the club's official Twitter account may suggest that Smith Rowe could be involved in Monday's match at the Kassam Stadium. The England international was seen alongside fellow midfielder Martin Odegaard and the pair were in fine spirits.
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“Emilovic is back", Odegaard said to the camera. "Come on, say something.”
Smith Rowe looked delighted to be in full training with his teammates, adding: “What do you want me to say? I’m with my captain, training day, can’t complain - happy days man!”
Cliches aside, the tricky playmaker, who netted ten goals in the league last season, will feel like a new signing for manager Arteta - who has made it no secret of his admiration for the Hale End academy graduate. “He (Smith Rowe) knows that he has the space in the squad to fulfil his potential,” Arteta in the build-up to tonight's clash.
“We really like him, I really like him, and he is a very important player for us. He knows that now he needs to jump on the train fast enough to have the impact that we all hope that he can have this season.
“He can play as a left attacking midfielder, on the right, he can play off the left as well. Those qualities within those units on the outside is something that he compliments really well with. We will exploit that.”
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