Arsenal facing huge selection doubt for Norwich clash

The international break is finally over. Its timing came at a point where Arsenal will have welcomed the days to regroup following a woeful start but would have also wanted to respond immediately.

For Mikel Arteta, it’s probably the former. While expectations weren’t high, the opening three results constituted, quite literally, the worst possible beginning to the new campaign. There had to be some serious reflection.

Facing Norwich in a 3PM kick-off that supporters will have to start getting used to again, Saturday’s clash is not only must-win, but must-perform. Narrow victories that could have gone either way will not suffice for a manager walking the plank.

Beneficial to him is the returns of a host of his key starts: Ben White and Gabriel look set to partner one another in the heart of defence while Thomas Partey is a possibility having resumed first team training at the beginning of the week.

Arsenal facing huge selection doubt for Norwich clash with Emile Smith Rowe a doubt for Mikel Arteta after falling ill while on international duty

There is also the chance of welcoming new signing Takehiro Tomiyasu into the starting lineup after his international duty for the month ended with Japan on Tuesday, although he has yet to have a single training session with his new teammates.

One doubt, however, is Emile Smith Rowe.

The 21-year-old had been away with the England Under-21 squad for their European Championship qualifying matches and despite being pictured in training on the Monday was left out of Tuesdays’s matching-winning squad to face Kosovo.

Withdrawing through illness, confirmed not to be COVID-19, he’s now a doubt for the weekend, as per the Evening Standard. There is plenty of time for him to recover but concern is said to be growing in and around London Colney.

It’s another big blow to Arteta who has had a bit-part squad to deal in each of his three Premier League games this season, and arguably during all of them Smith Rowe has been the best player in red and white.

Fortunately, from the manager’s point of view, Bukayo Saka was handed a rest in England’s 1-1 draw with Poland as Gareth Southgate opted against many any substitutes for the game.

Furthermore, due to quarantine and travel restrictions, Nicolas Pepe stayed in north London while his Ivory Coast side were playing World Cup qualifiers in Africa. Gabriel Martinelli was also not on international duty.

If Arteta was having any selections headaches, this might have eased his pain even if not in the way he’d desire.