Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe is back in light training following an injury scare.
The 22-year-old was a second half substitute in last weekend's 3-1 loss away at Manchester United, but it's what happened in the aftermath of the game at Old Trafford that was a cause for concern, especially with the transfer window closed and the Gunners a little light in central midfield and on the flanks.
During the post-match warm-down, Smith Rowe appeared to pull up and according to The Athletic's David Ornstein, looked distressed as he headed back to the dressing room. Subsequently, the attacking midfielder was considered an injury doubt for the start of Arsenal's Europa League campaign.
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And after not being spotted in training on Wednesday, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta delivered an update on Smith Rowe: "He felt some discomfort again in an area that he’s been dealing with now for a few weeks," the Spaniard told reporters. "He wasn’t comfortable after the game and he hasn’t trained in the last few days so he’s out of the squad."
Even without the England international, Arsenal bounced back from defeat at the 'Theatre of Dreams' immediately by securing a 2-1 win over FC Zurich thanks to goals from summer signing Marquinhos and fellow Hale End graduate Eddie Nketiah.
Whether Smith Rowe is available for selection if next Thursday's clash against PSV Eindhoven remains to be seen, but it would appear he has taken a huge step with regards to his recovery by taking part in a light training session alongside Cedric Soares who also missed the trip to Switzerland after picking up a minor knock.
Responding to the full-back's post on Instagram which read: "Recovering to come back stronger", firstly the Arsenal No.10 commented with a prayer hand and muscle emoji before uploading the image onto his Instagram stories with a two-word message that read: "Let's go".
If the PSV game does come too soon for Smith Rowe to make his return to action, he is one of several Arsenal stars who can benefit from the Premier League fixture postponement which has been done as a mark of respect following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
This weekend's game against Everton has already been called off and if the Queen’s state funeral causes the Gunners' trip to Brentford next Sunday to also be postponed then Arteta's side face a scenario of playing one competitive fixture over the next three weeks.
It just so happens that Premier League action could resume on October 1 with the small matter of a North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium, but this extended break provides Smith Rowe with enough time to regain full fitness to be available for a hectic month.
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