Mikel Arteta gives injury update on Emile Smith Rowe and two others

Three Gunners stars, including Emile Smith Rowe, have received injury updates from Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal.

Smith Rowe underwent surgery earlier this season after suffering a groin ailment that kept him out for the duration of the 2022–23 season.

In all competitions this season, the 22-year-old England international has made just six appearances.

Following surgery, Smith Rowe made a brief comeback in January, playing for 15 minutes in the FA Cup triumph over League One team Oxford United and substituting in the 88th minute of the 2-0 north London derby victory over Tottenham.

But after developing a thigh issue, he suffered an injury setback and missed the FA Cup loss to Manchester City and Premier League loss to Everton.

Arteta provided an update on Smith Rowe, Gabriel Jesus, and Reiss Nelson prior to Saturday’s match between Arsenal and Brentford at the Emirates.

‘The ones that they were long time like Emile, Reiss and Gabi they are closer,’ Arteta said as he looks to get the league leaders back to winning ways.

‘They started to do some work outside but they are not ready to contribute yet.’

Jesus, a summer transfer from Manchester City to north London, hasn’t played for the Gunners since suffering a knee injury in Qatar during the World Cup.

‘Gabi’s doing really well,’ Arteta added. ‘He’s already been outside a little bit.

‘It’s still early stages and he keeps pushing everybody every single day but we need to respect timelines and processes but he’s doing really well.

‘He’s still too far from that [a timeline]. You see now when you put loads through that knee and get some movement and actions, they’re not as controlled as the ones he has been doing [before].

‘[You have to see] how the knee reacts and whether he’s comfortable to move to the next stage.’