Arsenal are reportedly scouring the market for offensive reinforcements this winter, and welcome back an injured star who can bolster the ranks in this regard as the squad look to challenge for major silverware.
What’s the word?
While the Gunners look for hot talents elsewhere to lessen the load on the excellent offensive flankers Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, with Mykhaylo Mudryk and Facundo Torres scouted, the return of an injured ace will provide depth just as valuable.
Indeed, Emile Smith Rowe, who has been out of action since September after having groin surgery, missing 14 games, is finally reaching full fitness once more, with The Standard reporting he is targeting a January return.
Having been included in Arsenal’s midseason training camp during the forthcoming 2022 World Cup, the 22-year-old is presented with the perfect platform to return to fitness and complete his rehabilitation, ready to tackle the second phase of the campaign.
Smith Rowe can provide pivotal depth
Having emerged as an exciting member of boss Mikel Arteta’s squad following a successful loan stint with second-tier Huddersfield Town, Smith Rowe brings energy in abundance and creative assistance in and around the box, slipping through the lines and striking when the moment arises.
With innate awareness and control on the pitch, his presence has only grown over the past few years, with his teammates jovially lauding him as the “Croydon De Bruyne”.
And under boss Mikel Arteta’s watchful eye, the London-born star has slowly been adding dimensions to his game, emerging as a multi-facted, high-octane tool with an onus on opening positive plays for his team, always searching for goals and assists.
Last season alone, in his most bountiful yet, Smith Rowe registered 11 goals and two assists across all competitions, finding a clinical edge that will fall right into place among the current golden fortunes Arsenal boast.
The three-cap England international will be welcomed with open arms and joyous cheers after the World Cup, with regular forward flankers Martinelli and Saka starring for Brazil and England respectively, will only further the notion that the Gunners will need reliable utility options, providing creative flair when the Gunners require the key to unlock a different door to an opposing defence.
Rated at £33.2m by Transfermarkt, the guileful ace is well on his way to becoming a driving force in this burgeoning Gunners side, with a unique approach that aids his team in a manner that is not easily replicated.
Indeed, Arsenal legend Martin Keown lauded the maestro for his ability, likening him to Ray Parlour and stating his work on the pitch “makes the team more complete”.
He will likely be eased back into the fray following such an extensive layoff, but if he can find his feet once more among the current crop he will continue to thrive, and so will Arsenal and as such, his return would be a big – and very welcome – boost to the Gunners boss.
