Emile Smith Rowe has spoken of his relief after overcoming his FOUR YEAR injury nightmare.
Arsenal forward Smith Rowe, 22, made his comeback in the FA Cup win at Oxford United after undergoing groin surgery to solve a long-running problem. It was Smith Rowe’s first outing in four months but the England international revealed the issue has hampered him back to when he was 18 and has often had to play in pain.
Now Smith Rowe is hoping that he has finally put the nightmare behind him and can get back to playing an important role in Arsenal’s push for silverware this season.
Smith Rowe said: “A lot of people might not know, but I have had this injury since I was 18, 19. It has been quite hard to deal with it over the years. But I am really happy that it is just finally over. I had a successful surgery and I am really feeling really good.
“It was the exact same pain from back then, which has been quite hard to manage. Obviously a lot of people might not know about that from over the years. But I am just happy to come out the other side fully fit.
“It has been difficult being out for this long. I don’t think I have had this [long a lay-off] before and it has been tough watching the boys. But at the same time we are top of the league and playing really well, so I can’t complain.”
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Smith Rowe is a hugely popular figure with the fans, is one of Arsenal’s best young prospects and his return is a welcome boost. But the Arsenal No.10 also revealed that Mikel Arteta’s clever management kept him feeling involved in the club’s title push even though he was on the sidelines which also wrecked any hope of going to the World Cup.
Smith Rowe said: “It was really tough, but the whole team was around me. The manager really helped me and obviously I had my family back home supporting me. So it was really tough, but I managed to get through it and I am just happy I’m fully fit now.
“I was pretty much with the team from the start to be honest after surgery. I was in all the meetings and stuff, trying to keep up with the knowledge and learning every day what he (Arteta) was trying to apply in training. It has been much easier than I thought. I am just happy to be back now.
"Obviously you always want to play for your country. But at the same time, I had to do what is right for my body. I am still young, so I will keep working hard to get more opportunities for the national team. But right now, I just need to focus on Arsenal and getting some more minutes.”
Smith Rowe could now be involved in Sunday’s North London derby and he says a win woulda be “massive” as they look for revenge for the defeat at White Hart Lane last season.
He added: “I have been itching to get out there and play with the boys. I hope I can make an impact. I hope we can have a great rest of the season.
“I think it would be massive for us. I think it couldn’t come at a better time. We are feeling really good at the moment. All the boys know what it means to play in these kind of games. We are all going to rest up now and get ready for it.”
