Injured Arsenal star return date confirmed as transfer decision is made for the January transfer window

Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe is targeting a return to the field with his Arsenal teammates when they travel to Dubai for their warm weather training next month. The promising youngster has had to watch from the stands due to a groin injury as his teammates put up a fight for the Premier League title.

Smith Rowe is not expected to get into top gear straight away when he returns but he’s expected to be in and around the team as Arteta looks to keep the same energy levels and concentration for the return of the Premier League campaign after the World Cup.

The 22-year-old underwent surgery for his groin and Mikel Areta is quite keen on having him back to generate competition for his forward line with Gabriel Jesus without a goal in his last nine games before the international break. They will not be going into the transfer window for a new forward based on their trust for Smith Rowe.

He has since not played for Manchester United since September when they lost to Manchester United and the injury has played a role in his exclusion from England at the World Cup as he was in and around Southgate’s thinking at some point last season.

When fit Smith Rowe provides a slippery form of attack and his intelligence on and off the ball formed a platform on which the Gunners came mighty close to securing the Champions League football, even if they lost out to Tottenham in the end- but the pain of that defeat has fueled their strong start to the campaign.