Arsenal provide crucial Emile Smith Rowe injury update

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on Emile Smith Rowe, who was forced off in the first half of the 3-1 comeback victory over Leicester in the Premier League.

Calls for the midfielder to be given his chance in the top-flight were finally answered on Boxing Day, as the 20-year-old put in a solid display that was crucial to Arsenal ending a barren run of results with a morale-boosting victory over Chelsea.

Since then, Emile Smith Rowe has played an integral role in the club’s upturn in form, featuring in some capacity in every fuxture since, barring only the 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Southampton at the end of January.

His inclusion prompted a change of system for Arteta, who reverted to a 4-2-3-1 setup with the academy graduate in the No. 10 slot, a shift in style that has resulted in the vast improvements the side have made in an attacking sense.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta provides crucial injury update on Emile Smith Rowe following injury suffered against Leicester

However, with a history of niggling injury issues in his short career, an expected burnout was expected given the sheer volume of minutes he’s played. Starting in the recent win over Leicester, Smith Rowe was unable to continue prior to half-time with a muscular issue, one that concerned Arteta.

Speaking on the official Arsenal website ahead of Saturday’s trip to face Burnley, the boss provided an update on his injury:

"“Emile had a scan yesterday, it doesn’t look a significant injury but he was in discomfort,” Arteta said. “For the rest, hopefully everybody should be okay.”"

The news is hugely reassuring. An issue that isn’t likely to keep Smith Rowe sidelined for long, the addition of Martin Odegaard continues to prove a masterstroke from the club in January regardless.

Fulfilling the promise of earning game time at Arsenal, Odegaard has been a regular feature since his winter move and the absence of Smith Rowe is no longer as keenly felt following his acquisition. While still a loss, the Norwegian has proven himself to be a valuable member of the squad and eases the dependency on the Hale End star.

Under normal circumstances he may have been risked for the Turf Moor clash, but now he can be granted adequate recovery time as he is nursed back to full fitness.