Emile Smith Rowe was bought on as substitute within half an hour at the Emirates but only lasted 47 minutes, with Mikel Arteta claiming the Arsenal star was always going to struggle having been out for so long.
The academy graduate has been plagued with injury this term, which has hampered his first-team ambitions, but he was afforded an opportunity when Leandro Trossard was forced off with a concern of his own after 22 minutes. Smith Rowe occupied a role on the left of the Arsenal attack with Gabriel Martinelli coming in centrally.
Arteta opted to hook Smith Rowe for Reiss Nelson, the eventual match-winner, on the 69th minute. The player didn't appear to have picked up a knock, but made his return to the pitch earlier than planned having spent several months out nursing a groin issue.
