Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has described Emile Smith Rowe as a “quick healer” and says he has already been jogging on the training-ground pitches.
The Gunners boss, speaking ahead of the Champions League meeting with Lens, appeared optimistic about the progress being made by Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey.
Smith Rowe is currently out with a knee issue. Football.london have reported that the 23-year-old likely won’t be available until December.
The Gunners academy graduate made his first Premier League start of the season in the 5-0 win over Sheffield United. However, he has been out of action since.
At his pre-match press conference, Arteta was asked whether Smith Rowe and Partey would be back before the post-FA Cup third-round break in mid-January.
“It is a possibility but it will depend how they evolve,” said the Arsenal boss, as per football.london.
“Emile has already been on the pitch, doing some jogging. I don’t know weeks-wise how long it’s going to take. Emile is a quick healer.
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“Thomas is the same. They are both going to push but we have to make sure when they come back they are at their best as well.
“We don’t want to rush them but as well the team needs them because at the moment we are missing some key, key players as well.”
Positive update from Arsenal boss about Emile Smith Rowe – TBR View
It’s such a shame to see Smith Rowe suffering another big setback just as he had finally managed to work his way back into the starting XI.
It has been an incredibly frustrating year for the attacker. He has gone from being Arsenal’s next big Hale End graduate after Bukayo Saka to potentially fearing for his Gunners future.
However, it’s also good to hear that Smith Rowe is a “quick healer”. Arteta is right not to place any pressure on him and Partey in terms of their recovery, but it looks like things are on the right track.
Hopefully in the coming weeks we’ll see one or both of them back and supplementing the team in their pursuit of glory.