The 22-year-old has barely featured so far this season, making just four appearances in the Premier League, but he was back on the pitch on Monday as the Gunners beat Oxford United 3-0 in the FA Cup.
The England international had surgery to reattach a tendon in his groin, which has kept him out of action, but he is not only back from that but hopefully better than ever as he reveals it is an issue that has been hampering him for three or four years.
‘It has been difficult being out for this long,’ said Smith Rowe after making his return on Monday.
‘I don’t think I have had this (long a lay-off) before and it has been tough watching the boys. But at the same time, we are top of the league and playing really well, so I can’t complain.
‘A lot of people might not know, but I have had this injury since I was 18 or 19. It has been quite hard to deal with it over the years. But I am really happy that it is just finally over. I had a successful surgery and I am feeling really good.
‘It was the exact same pain from back then (his loan to RB Leipzig in 2019), which has been quite hard to manage. A lot of people might not know about that from over the years. But I am just happy to come out the other side fully fit.’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was delighted to have Smith Rowe back, adding to his options behind a central striker.
When asked about Smith Rowe’s return after the game, Arteta said: ‘It’s good.
‘Obviously it’s been four months since he played so I think it was the perfect game to give him some minutes to get out of the blocks.
‘Now he needs to start to be available and to start to play at the highest level because we’re going to need him.’
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