Arsenal have been handed a huge fitness boost after Emile Smith Rowe was pictured taking part in the early training sessions in Dubai. Despite Mikel Arteta being initially absent having attended a meeting with the club’s owner Stan Kroenke, Josh Kroenke and sporting director Edu, the Spaniard will be looking forward to the boost of the 22-year-old’s return.
Smith Rowe has been absent since the 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford. The Arsenal attacker was injured in the warm-down and aggravated a groin issue that then required surgery, ruling him out until after the World Cup.
“We needed to put a line, draw a line, we made that decision, and the player was the first one demanding almost that he wanted an end decision and we supported that,” Arteta explained in September being why they chose the surgery pathway. “Now we have to prepare him to get back stronger than he was.”
