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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Arsenal injury blow as Emile Smith Rowe set to miss Premier League opener against Crystal Palace

Emile Smith Rowe is expected to miss Arsenal’s opening game of the season at Crystal Palace on Friday.

Smith Rowe has struggled for fitness during pre-season and he missed last week’s Emirates Cup with a groin injury.

That is still troubling the 22-year-old and he is expected to miss Friday’s Premier League opener at Selhurst Park.

The midfielder is, however, progressing well and is hoping to take part in some light training soon in the hope he could face Leicester at Emirates Stadium next week.

“I am getting there,” said Smith Rowe, when asked by Standard Sport if he is fully fit ahead of Friday’s match at Crystal Palace.

“We are going to see what happens. I am going to be training this week, so hopefully I can be back with the team.

“It’s just my groin at the moment, I am getting a bit of pain in there. It’s getting better and I should be back soon.”

Arsenal have enjoyed a successful pre-season, on and off the pitch, but they are still working on transfer business.

Lucas Torreira is closing in on a £7.5million move to Galatasary, while Folarin Balogun is set to join Reims on loan for the season.

Bernd Leno completed his move, which could eventually be worth £8m, to Fulham last night and Arsenal still want to try and shift Alex Runarsson, Hector Bellerin and Pablo Mari before the transfer window shuts.

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