Emile Smith Rowe: Massive blow for Arsenal youngster in promising season

Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe is to miss most of the first half of the 2022/23 campaign after undergoing surgery on an ongoing groin problem sustained before the season kicked off.

The team leading the Premier League standings with 18 points has been suffering from some major injury setbacks. One setback that has been persistent since before the season kicked off is Emile Smith Rowe’s groin problem. The young English midfielder has not started a fixture for Mikel Arteta, and instead of improving, the problem has just worsened from Matchday to Matchday.

Due to the ongoing strain on his groin with no headway, the club, after further discussions with a specialist, decided it would be best to operate, rest, rehab, and rejoin the group later in the first half of the season, which could be after the World Cup this year, which ends in December.

"In recent months, Emile Smith Rowe has been experiencing discomfort in his groin, which has limited his training and match appearances.Following a significant setback at our Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 4, and after further specialist consultations and discussions with our medical team, Emile underwent surgery to repair a damaged tendon in his groin."

Is Emile Smith Rowe a massive miss for the Gunners?

Yes, he is a massive miss for them, starting or coming off the bench as an impact player. Last season he was a mainstay in the starting XI, making 21 starts of the 31 features he made in the Premier League.

His goal contribution was one of the best with 10 goals scored while providing two assists. He was second in his contribution to the team last season only behind Bukayo Saka. The two youngsters have been the poster boys for the new era of Arsenal under Arteta.

He has been limited to four appearances and has accumulated a low of 55 minutes on the pitch. For this reason alone, the club has made the best possible decision for him to come back stronger later. He rejoins the squad during a period where more bodies are needed and the games come quick and fast.

"This successful surgery took place in London in the past few days and Emile’s rehabilitation programme is already underway. We are hopeful that Emile will return to full training in December.Everyone at the club will now be supporting and working hard with Emile to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible. (via: arsenal.com)"

The timing of the surgery is the best possible time thanks to the World Cup’s interruption. He will not miss that much action and will be back almost straight after the major international tournament.

Arsenal’s mammoth North London Derby

Sad news that Arteta will have one option less to select from, however, they have been doing the business without the young ESR and will have other key selections back in contention for a starting birth.

Before the derby coming on Saturday morning against rivals Tottenham, Arsenal were sweating the fitness of Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, and Oleksandr Zinchenko. All three were major doubts, either before the international break or returning home early from country duty due to injury problems.

Thankfully, their respective injury issues could be solved ahead of the Spurs meeting and we could see either of them start or make the matchday squad.