Arsenal youngster Emile Smith Rowe has backed England to "bring it home" at the World Cup over the next month as the Qatar 2022 tournament gets underway. The forward would have hoped to be involved in some capacity during the competition, having received call-ups to the squad in recent times.
However, injuries have blighted his season so far, meaning he hasn't been able to play a part for the Gunners during their league push so far. Smith Rowe could benefit from the huge month break in the fixture schedule though as he set a date for his return to first-team action.
He told Sky Sports: "Hopefully [I’ll be back] by the first game after the World Cup. I’m actually out here [Abu Dhabi] doing rehab, today was my day off, I’m back training tomorrow. I’m back on the pitch and it’s going well.” That could be a huge boost to Mikel Arteta, who has bemoaned his thin squad this campaign.
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While that will be a positive for the 22-year-old, there may be genuine heartbreak surrounding the upcoming World Cup as his form last season being carried into this current one could have seen him as part of Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad. That wasn't to be though and his recovery will have to be complimented by cheering England on from afar.
Despite that, Smith Rowe has been positive when rating his nation's chance of winning the whole tournament after missing out on the European Championships the previous summer.
He told Sky Sports: "I’m really confident in the team, obviously we missed out at the last minute in the last big tournament. I believe the boys are going to bring it home this time. The squad is really strong, it’s looking good.”
It remains to be seen if they can achieve that goal, though for the Arsenal forward, his own targets alongside the tournament will be to make a return to club action as soon as possible.
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