Smith Rowe raring to go after four years of pain

EMILE SMITH ROWE has detailed how a groin injury plagued him for four years before surgery finally healed the problem in time for Arsenal’s title charge. The forward, 22, made his first appearance in four months in Monday’s FA Cup win at Oxford United, replacing Bukayo Saka for the final 15 minutes.

He had struggled with growing pains that caused discomfort in his groin when striking the ball, all the way back to 2019 when he was on loan at RB Leipzig. He had surgery in September and finally feels fully fit.

‘I have had this injury since I was 18, 19 — it has been quite hard to deal with it,’ he said. ‘But I’m really happy it is finally over. I am just happy to come out the other side fully fit. I am going to kick on from here.’ Smith Rowe’s return comes at a good time, with Arsenal short of attacking options after injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson.

‘I don’t think I have had this (long a lay-off) before and it has been tough watching the boys,’ said Smith Rowe. ‘But the whole team was around me. The manager (Mikel Arteta) really helped me and obviously I had my family supporting me.’ Arteta kept Smith Rowe involved during his recovery and he attended team meetings. Now the player wants to help the team in their push for the title.

‘I have been itching to get out there,’ he said. ‘I hope I can make an impact.’

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