The Emile Smith Rowe injury is a fresh concern for the Gunners, who saw their youngster pick up the knock whilst on international duty. The Hale End graduate is currently away with the England U21s at the European Championship.
Emile Smith Rowe Injury Casts Doubts Ahead of Liverpool Clash
England U21s Continuing to Struggle
Arsenal may be without Emile Smith Rowe on Saturday night at home to champions Liverpool after the injury. The extent of the injury, however, is unknown but appears to be enough to rule him out of tomorrows crucial group game.
The injury to Smith Rowe only adds to the England U21s’ problems at the European Championship.
The Young Lions risk going out in the group stage and have really struggled in this campaign. They have lost both of their opening games against Switzerland and Portugal. Arsenal’s Smith Rowe started both of these games. These two defeats were Smith Rowe’s first two appearances for England at U21 level.
Despite the poor start, the side can still reach the knockout stages taking place this summer. This is if they are able to beat Croatia by two goals tomorrow evening and if Switzerland lose to Portugal. This poor showing comes as a surprise to many given the way in which they qualified for the tournament. With some of the Premier League’s finest of young talent to choose from, they have heavily underperformed so far. Aidy Boothroyd will expect his job to be on the line if they fail to make it out of the group.
In their last outing against Portugal, the Young Lions failed to register a shot on target from open play. They will hope for better tomorrow when chasing a two-goal winning margin.
Will Arsenal Cope Without Smith Rowe Due to Injury?
Before the end of the winter transfer window, Smith Rowe was the only player in the attacking midfield position available for Mikel Arteta; he was the only centrally creative spark in the entire squad and someone Arsenal were looking to wrap up in cotton wool. However, the loan acquisition of Martin Odegaard has lifted some of the creative burden on the youngster. Despite their capabilities of playing together, seen in their successes in the Europa League – Arsenal will hope to survive for hopefully only a short period without Smith Rowe’s services.
Unfortunately, he is not the only doubt ahead of the Liverpool clash. Another academy graduate, now a first-team regular, Bukayo Saka is a doubt after missing international duty with England this week. He was called up but stayed at Arsenal in order to carry out his recovery of a hamstring injury he picked up in the Gunners’ dramatic 3-3 draw against West Ham.
Arsenal went into the international break on a four-game unbeaten run. With some huge games coming up, including the two quarter-final ties in the Europa League against Slavia Prague, they will be hoping for the quick return of these key men.
Saturday’s game gives the Gunners an opportunity to close a four-point gap on Liverpool. A victory at home to the Champions could reignite Arsenal’s European chances in what will be a huge end of the season for Arteta and his side.
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