Emile Smith Rowe is back on the bench for Arsenal in tonight’s FA Cup clash at Oxford - with Bukayo Saka leading a strong attack against the League One side.
The academy graduate midfielder has been out of action since the start of September after injuring his groin.
Smith Rowe underwent surgery and could make his long-awaited return away at League One opposition in the third round this evening, if he passes a fitness test.
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“Emile can play as an attacking midfielder or as a winger, even as no9 - I think he has played there before,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
“First of all, we need him fit and at his best - and when we have that we have an incredible player that we have missed a lot in the last few months.
“And if [on Sunday] he trains well, he will hopefully be available to give us something in the game.”
Arteta has made plenty of changes as Matt Turner starts in goal, while Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Takehiro Tomiyasu come into the defence.
The midfield is made up of Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Mohamed Elneny, with a first-choice frontline.
Arsenal XI: Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Vieira, Elneny, Lokonga; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.
Subs: Hein, White, Zinchenko, Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Marquinhos, Butler-Oyedeji.
Monday 8.00pm GMT, ITV
Venue: Kassam Stadium
Referee: David Coote
Arsenal squad from: Hein, Ramsdale, Turner; Cedric, Gabriel, Holding, Saliba, Tierney, Tomiyasu, White, Zinchenko; Elneny, Lokonga, Odegaard, Partey, Saka, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Xhaka; Martinelli, Marquinhos and Nketiah.
Injured: Gabriel Jesus (knee), Nelson (hamstring)
Doubts: Smith Rowe (groin)
