Smith-Rowe rues injury woes amid Arsenal title challenge

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By Martin Graham | 21st Nov 2022

Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe has spoken out on his true feelings about missing the Gunners’ title charge so far.

The man who finished as Arsenal’s second highest goalscorer in the Premier League last season has been battling niggling injuries for most of this campaign. Those injuries have caused him regular game time, which in turn, affected his chances of going to the 2022 FIFA World Cup with England.

The 22-year-old midfielder has been limited to only four Premier League games this season, playing a total of 47 minutes in those games. A groin injury has kept him out of action and his recovery from the surgery has been slow.

Speaking to Sky Sports about the season so far, Smithe-Rowe said: “It’s going really well at the moment. I’m really happy for the team but sometimes it’s annoying when I can’t feel like I’m involved, I can’t be on the pitch with my team-mates.

“It’s amazing to see them doing so well and I can’t wait to get back.”

Smith Rowe was also asked about his recovery and when he will be back on the pitch. “Hopefully by the first game back after the World Cup.

“I’m actually out here [in the United Arab Emirates] doing rehab. Today was my day off, I’m back training tomorrow. I’m back on the pitch and stuff so it’s going well.

“I’m sure when the boys come back we’ll get kicking straight after,” Smith Rowe added. “It’s looking good but we’re all excited for the World Cup. I can’t wait to get back after.

“I’m really confident in the [England] team, obviously we missed out at the last minute in the last big tournament. I believe the boys are going to bring it home this time. The squad is really strong, it’s looking good.”

Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka, the only Arsenal player to outscore Smith-Rowe, is preparing for his first World Cup with England.

Aaron Ramsdale has come out in support of the young forward after his penalty mishap that cost England the Euros. “Absolutely [he would step up again],” Ramsdale told reporters on Friday. “I think he’s four from four since that day.

“I think he’s realised that it was something that maybe had to happen for him (missing the penalty in the Euro 2020 final). He wouldn’t shy away from that, because of the type of person he is.

“He knows the feeling now, hopefully the next time he steps up he’ll do what he does for Arsenal and put it in the back of the net.”