Emile Smith Rowe says he’s back training on the pitch and is targeting full fitness in time for Arsenal’s Boxing Day clash with West Ham United.
The England international has been sidelined since August after going under the knife to fix a persistent groin issue.
Collared by Sky Sports at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Emile was asked when supporters can expect to see him back in action.
“Hopefully by the first game back after the World Cup,” he said. “I’m actually out here [in the United Arab Emirates] doing rehab. Today was my day off, I’m back training tomorrow. I’m back on the pitch and stuff so it’s going well.”
While the midfielder is delighted that his teammates have been doing so well in his absence, he couldn’t hide his frustration at being unable to contribute to the recent success.
“It’s going really well at the moment, I’m really happy for the team but sometimes it’s annoying when I can’t feel like I’m involved, I can’t be on the pitch with my teammates.
“It’s amazing to see them doing so well and I can’t wait to get back.”
Given the momentum the Gunners have at the moment, timing of the World Cup isn’t ideal. At the same time, the mid-season break works to Smith Rowe’s advantage as it minimises the number of games he’ll miss.
“Yeah, potentially,” he said when asked about the hiatus coming at a good time for him.
“At the same time we’ve just got to stay focused. I’m sure when the boys come back we’ll get kicking straight after. It’s looking good but we’re all excited for the World Cup. I can’t wait to get back after.”
Having been handed his England debut last season, there was a point when Smith Rowe harboured ambitions of being part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the World Cup.
Unfortunately, the decision to have surgery killed that dream definitively. All the same, he’s hoping the Three Lions can go all the way.
“I’m really confident in the team, obviously we missed out at the last minute in the last big tournament. I believe the boys are going to bring it home this time. The squad is really strong, it’s looking good.”
Smith Rowe is expected to join Arsenal’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai which starts in early December and we presume, he’ll be hoping to get some game time in the friendlies that have been arranged against Lyon and AC Milan.
Fantastic news for him, the team and us supporters! Great player for one so young.
And we can sing our Saka and ESR chant again!
Like a new signing! Can take the pressure off xhaka and Odegaard/ martinelli without a drop off in quality….the jury is still out on Fabio viera…
I’m going this bonus midseason preseason will give Vieira the time to get up to speed fully
*I’m hoping…
We’ll certainly need everyone fully fit and ready to go (and some January reinforcements as well I think) for the second part of the season.
A fully fit ESR hungry to get back into this team is the LANSiest of LANS. So excited to see him back in action!
Blogs he is in Abu Dhabi
Do people in United Arab Emirates like The Flintstones?
No, but Abu Dhabi do!
Better than Abu Diaby tho
Fan-Dhabi-Dozi (one for the older supporters)
Good news both for him and the team – a welcome boost just before the new year if he’s fit to face West Ham.
I can’t wait for him.
He is a bigger talent and killer of a goal scorer.
Just wish him good health and a title
Winning contribution for the second half of the season.
It’s very boring without my beloved Arsenal
So boring I even watched the rugby test match today.
I find if you squint hard enough you can almost imagine it’s Stoke playing
Great news. We’ve missed watching the silky Hale End prodigy 👏🔥💯👍
LANS
(Sorry, couldn’t resist it)
Needs to get on the pitch or be left behind
The Croydon de Bruyne👊🏾
Welcome back brother 🙏,we’ve been missing you a lot for so long. May the glory be to God 🙏
Long live Smith-Rowe – death to FIFA!