CONFIRMED: Arteta has already decided to put ‘special’ player back into his Arsenal team against Oxford on Monday
Arsenal midfielder is expected to make his comeback from injury against Oxford United on Monday.
The Athletic report that Mikel Arteta has already decided to put the England international back into the team for that FA Cup third round clash.
Arsenal have handed the playmaker’s injury recovery very delicately and carefully, but they clearly think he is finally ready to return.
Smith Rowe has not started a single game in all competitions so far this season, but that has not stopped Arsenal racing to the top of the Premier League.
Smith Rowe set to start against Oxford
But their lack of squad depth is perhaps just starting to bite slightly, and Gabriel Jesus’ injury at the World Cup is of course a big blow.
Mykhailo Mudryk is Arsenal’s priority transfer target for a reason, but while that saga rumbles on, Smith Rowe is ready to come into the frame and make an impact.
The games continue to come thick and fast and Arsenal will be hoping that Smith Rowe can get up to match sharpness as quickly as possible.
Arteta will likely hope that his side have enough to get past the League One outfit even if they make a number of changes to their lineup.
That said, last season they came unstuck at this stage of the competition against Nottingham Forest, who were then in the Championship.
Gunners fans will likely be excited about the prospect of seeing Smith Rowe, labelled as a ‘special talent’ who is ‘so exciting’ by Jamie Carragher, back on the pitch.
They will be hoping that his comeback goes off without complication, ideally with a goal or an assist to top it off during safe passage to the fourth round.
