Emile Smith Rowe is set to make his return to action when Arsenal face Oxford United in the third round of the FA Cup on Monday and Mikel Arteta is excited to have the England international back.
The attacking midfielder struggled through pre-season as he tried to work his way around a groin problem but eventually decided to undergo surgery in September with the aim of being fully fit for the second half of the season.
Despite a minor setback in his rehabilitation – which included stints training alone in the United Arab Emirates – the player should now be available to challenge Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard for a starting berth.
According to his boss he could also be an option in the centre of attack.
“Emile can play as an attacking midfielder, as a winger and even as a nine; I think he’s played there before,” said the Spaniard in his weekly press conference.
“First of all, we need him fit and at his best, and when we have that, we have an incredible player that we have missed a lot in the last few months.
“Tomorrow he trains well, he will hopefully be available to give us something in the game.”
In terms of the match, it sounds like Arteta is determined to put out a side that won’t make the same mistakes as last year. The Gunners went out at the first time of asking to Nottingham Forest after entering the competition as its most illustrious club.
“It is a competition that we are really looking forward to play in, and brings back huge memories to our football club and the team, because not many years ago we won it, but also last year how we went out of the competition.
“It’s a competition that we really want to play in and compete.
“It will be difficult. From what we’ve seen they’ve played in different ways, and result-wise as well they’ve had a bit of everything. It’ll be a very special night and everybody will raise their level and it will be tough.”
Having ESR back is like a new signings. If he stays injury free it will really help us.
Good to hvee you back mate
It really is.
And given that it doesn’t look like any transfer business will be done before the NLD, we need him on that bench so badly.
Suddenly with Fabio and Emile, the bench starts to look a little more sturdy.
Here’s hoping he’s been off the Nando’s and is ready to burst onto the scene once again.
People forget that Arteta owes ESR his job and that he was probably the higher rated Hale End graduate for a little while.
how exactly does Arteta OWE his job to Emile? Is Kronke ESR’s dad? Did he ask his dad to hire Arteta?
No but he did turn it around when he played against Chelsea at home and we were on a terrible run and artetas job was hanging by a thread.
Seems amnesia has struck again for some, this is literally what happened. Boxing Day 2020 that’s when it all changed. Before that we’d lost 8 drawn 2 and won 4. If you were to post “Arteta out” then, you’d be backed by a vast majority of readers.
Arteta was persisting in playing Willian like a madman. He got injured, ESR came in, the team started to function and the rest is history. But for that injury and ESR I doubt we’d be where we are right now.
Ok, slightly hyperbole. But ESR’s ascendance pulled us out of a funk that many people were suggesting would be game over for Mikel.
Usually during an injury period, players reputations get bigger. But with ESR it maybe hasn’t. And it’s definitely worth remembering what a remarkable talent we have.
Two years on now from that Boxing Day crunch match against Chelsea.
Arteta was staring down the barrel of three games and out, make no mistake.
He then played ESR and Saka as a last throw of the dice – and, thank Christ, we haven’t looked back.
That would have been an outrageous plot twist at the end of All or Nothing.
Something insightful yet witty #ESR
A fit and match-fit Smith Rowe would be a massive development. It’s not just the super-sub who can score that we saw last season. He is, from what I have seen, as naturally talented as anyone his age–on the level of Odegaard and Saka. Imagine buying a guy that good from Shahktar! If only there were some acronym that described what I mean.
Truly LANS!
Welcome back, bro! Good to have you in the team again.
Now we’ve got some catching up to do!
Someone will be along soon to help you out with that acronym I’m sure…
Nope. Fuckt it. Damn it
Hope he makes it on the pitch on Monday and comes through free of injury. A big miss not having him and would be great to have him back for the rest of the season, he’ll definitely add something to the team.
Please no false nine experiments, it never works.
Apart from a 19 minute spell when we were a goal and a man down against Man City, Mikel has only played ESR as a false 9 once (https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/emile-smith-rowe/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/392765/saison/ges/pos/14). We know the game, it was a huge game, it didn’t work. However, that was nearly two years ago. A lot has changed since then. The player has matured, the coach has gained experience, and the squad has become stronger. I’m not saying that I’m all for the idea of ESR in a false 9 row, and I’m definitely not claiming that it’ll definitely work. I’m just saying that we shouldn’t… Read more »
Tell me, how many no.9s did City have last season when they registered 93 points and 99 league goals? False 9s never work as you say, so let’s ignore the fact that our current no.9 couldn’t even get in the city team regularly at no.9 ahead of the false 9s, and those 99 goals with no traditional 9 proved you right that it cannot work
Exactly. And I don’t even see why he has to be a “false” 9, can’t he be a real one? For me he has all the qualities to be an awesome centre forward – pace and acceleration with the ball, dribbling out of tight spots and finishing. He might not have towering stature but neither does Gabriel Jesus nor did Agüero when he couldn’t stop scoring while winning god knows how many titles for City (I’ve repressed this information), and ESR has a solid frame and will only get stronger as he matures, I think he could be a perfect… Read more »
I think he played there once or twice in a pretty average team….Jesus has more or less been playing as a ‘false 9’ this season.
I think Arteta has earned my trust of his judgment and strategic acumen.
Well said.
Martinelli can play up front, but ESR in as a false 9 was a terrible experiment and should never be repeated.
Either wing, or as a 10, but never a centre forward.
I would much rather have proven ESR fit and playing than spending £70 plus million on a player who looks good in the weak Ukrainian league.
On this occasion I would be happy to see Chelsea sign him and its funny how he is swinging towards a move there when he has been flirting with Arsenal so blatantly and for so long.
Yeah – f*CK him.
I only want players that actually want to play for Arsenal.
If he comes, then great – if not, he can be added to the long line of players to rock up at Stamford bridge for the ££££’s
I suppose you’ve spoken directly to the player and he’s told you exactly what he’s thinking? Maybe you should stop being a gullible twat believing all the crap that’s made up by people who know nothing, and wait and see.
Go fuck yourself
Now now ladies, keep the internet insults to the daily mail columns.
He does have a point though. Who says he swinging towards a move there?
Considering our status and current position we absolutely do not need to beg anyone to join us. I know there’s a clamour for signings given the fact we’re in a title race, but I’d rather we kept to the plan we had than blow a load of dough on a bit of a shot in the dark (given his lack of experience in a top league). We oughtn’t forget that Pepe looked a world beater in Ligue 1 and if the price is too high we should walk away and look for alternatives. One other thing, I’m already fed up… Read more »
Hopefully he doesn’t join
ESR is my favourite player to watch at Arsenal these days. I just love his style.
Yea ESR is a don. So exciting to have him back in the fold. COYG!!!!
If this was Arsene Wenger, I’d say it is an indication no new signing is expected.
With one fit striker available and ESR, Vieira and Marquinhos available we don’t need to reinforce in certain areas, but if he does nothing, and we fall short there will be a media inquest – although it is likely that we will meet our initial season objective of top four.
That “initial season objective” has changed; the goal post has shifted. We need to act accordingly.
Well said
We really need to take the opportunity now. We need to strengthen with the right player (s) and in important position (s). I also think we should concentrate on the league and Europa and see what we can get.
I’m hoping a fit Nelson can also contribute.
False nine? Thr interesting question is who is covering saka at right wing? Cos mudryk, rowe and martinelli all play on the left. Vieira? Or gabriel jesus while we shift the pieces around?
I hope to see Vieira in for Odegaard and Marquinhos in for Saka. Left wing one of the more incisive dribble youngsters such as Crozier Duberry and Emile as the false 9.
Nwaneri seems to have a good understanding with Crozier Duberry based off the friendly vs Juventus. So that would be awesome to watch
Wrote this in the other post but am genuinely surprised how little talk of Vieira there is considering what he cost us so recently, surely this is a player a lot is expected of at Arsenal, maybe not this season but at least we should start seeing signs of it, especially in the cup ties.
LANS
😊