Mikel Arteta reveals Emile Smith Rowe return date amid Arsenal injury setback
Mikel Arteta has admitted that Emile Smith Rowe will be out for «weeks» after suffering a knee injury. The England international had been expected to take part in Wednesday night's Carabao Cup clash with West Ham, but was ruled out after picking up the problem during Saturday's 5-0 win over Sheffield United.
In his absence Arsenal lost 3-0 at the London Stadium. A Ben White own goal put them behind just after the 15 minute mark, before second half strikes from Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen sealed a sorry exit from the competition for the Gunners.
Speaking after the game Arteta confirmed that Smith Rowe had indeed suffered knee injury, and was looking at spell out on the sidelines. «He’s got an injury in his knee and he’s going to be out for weeks,» the Spaniard said in his post-match press conference.
Smith Rowe joins Arsenal's ever-growing injury list. Thomas Partey is currently out with a thigh injury sustained just prior to last week's Champions League victory over Sevilla.
Gabriel Jesus is also out with a hamstring problem sustained in the 2-1 victory in Seville. The Brazilian is another who is expected to be back in weeks, although Arteta has refused to be too specific with a timescale.
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«With him I am not going to put any (time frame) because I did it once and I got it totally wrong,» the Spaniard said. «We need to be cautious because we need to treat him in the right way but he is already pushing everybody, he wants to be back as quickly as possible and we need him so that is great.»
Regardless Arsenal are expecting to be without
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