Medical insider: Arsenal taking ‘one last roll of the dice’ with Emile Smith Rowe
The decision for Emile Smith Rowe to go under the knife is “one last roll of the dice” for Arsenal as they have “exhausted all other options.”
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
Smith Rowe has played a total of just 47 minutes across four substitute appearances in 2022-23.
The last of those came in the dying minutes of the 3-1 defeat to Man United on 4 September, after which he pulled up with a groin issue in the warm-down.
Arsenal confirmed last Thursday (29 September) that the 22-year-old has undergone surgery to correct the problem.
Dinnery suggests that the Croydon-born playmaker will now likely be out until after the World Cup resumes post-Christmas.
“The conservative approach with Smith Rowe has failed,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“They have exhausted all other options and this surgical intervention is the last roll of the dice.
“They will be extremely hopeful that the rehabilitation and recovery process follows the correct path. You would then hope his reintegration would be at the back of December after the World Cup.
“Of course, you can never categorically state that is going to be the case.
“But the medical team and specialist surgeon, they will be very confident the right decision has been made and the outcome will be favourable.”
In other news, Gabby Agbonlahor claims Man City “would love” to sign William Saliba as Arsenal talks confirmed.