Arsenal have been handed a significant injury worry ahead of the North London Derby with Emile Smith Rowe set to be ruled out for the foreseeable future.
The Hale End Academy graduate has been struggling with a groin problem over the last few months and has been restricted to the sidelines since the Gunners’ defeat at the hands of Manchester United.
However, it has now been announced that the 22-year-old has undergone surgery and it is suggested that he will be out of action until at least December. Considering Smith Rowe’s form last season, having scored ten goals in the Premier League alone, that will be a huge blow to Arsenal and of course their hopes of extending their stay at the top of the current table.
Despite that, there is now a huge opportunity for the Gunners’ other squad members to stake a claim in the first-team under Mikel Arteta. The usual suspects will likely be Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Eddie Nketiah but there is another surprise option that the Gunners’ head coach can potentially call upon.
Smith Rowe’s fellow academy graduate Reiss Nelson is now back in North London following a loan spell with Dutch giants Feyenoord and was handed a place in the Gunners’ most recent Premier League squad, courtesy of being a home grown player. Should he too recover from his own injury issues, he could well be in contention to be handed a place in the side against Tottenham.
During his time in the Eredivisie, the 22-year-old scored four goals and notched seven assists - that productivity coming after a couple of seasons in the wilderness at Arsenal.
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In fact, Nelson has not actually made a first-team appearance for the Gunners since a 19-minute cameo in the North Londoners' reverse at the hands of Brentford at the start of last season.
Regardless of that fact, Arteta has never attempted to hide his admiration of Nelson and his abilities.
Speaking shortly after the young winger’s breakthrough, the Spanish schemer said: "We have pace in a few players up front.
“Reiss [Nelson] is a special player and can eliminate players one on one. He's been out for a while but he's back now and he showed what he's capable of doing.”
Whilst it remains to be seen whether Nelson is ready to be drafted straight back into the Arsenal starting line-up - particularly with the current form of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli.
However, he will certainly be an intriguing option for Arteta to turn to should he feel the need and it goes without saying that Nelson could certainly reignite his Arsenal career with a starring role against Tottenham at the Emirates.
