Mikel Arteta wants Emile Smith Rowe to use his injury setback as a source of motivation ahead of a potential comeback against PSV Eindhoven.<\/p>\n
The England international is part of Arsenal\u2019s travelling squad for tomorrow\u2019s Champions League fixture at the Philips Stadium.<\/p>\n
Smith Rowe has not featured since suffering a knee injury in the 5-0 win over Sheffield United on October 28.<\/p>\n
Gunners boss Arteta said: \u201cWhat he has been through is part of the experience that 95% of footballers have to go through.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s difficulties, injuries, setbacks and different kinds of performances too. He\u2019s back now and he can use that in a very powerful way, he will be a much better player.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s on the right path, the way he\u2019s done his rehab, I haven\u2019t seen it like he\u2019s done it this time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
EXCLUSIVE: Joleon Lescott\u2019s Premier League stars of Matchday 16<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more we can give him chances to play, the better we will be. So let\u2019s hope that\u2019s going to be the case.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith Rowe may be afforded an opportunity against PSV with the Gunners having secured top spot in Group B.<\/p>\n
However, Arteta refused to confirm whether he will make wholesale changes to his XI.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe have five or six big injuries, so we are already a bit thin. I don\u2019t know in a different context what I would have done.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut as well I want everyone together and everyone together with the mentality to win. I want to see in the tummy of the players tomorrow that although the job technically is done, it is not completely done.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur duty as representatives of Arsenal is to win every game and tomorrow we need a big performance against a team that is going to make it very difficult like they have shown in the past two years here.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more: Everything you need to know about the 2023 Club World Cup<\/p>\n Arteta also explained Bukayo Saka\u2019s absence from outside training today, with the winger part of the travelling group.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cBukayo\u2019s fine.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWith a few of the players we decided to give them another day\u2019s recovery just 48 before and some of them have played a lot of minutes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve already done what we had to do inside, so it wasn\u2019t worth putting them out and exposing them outside today.\u201d<\/p>\n Energised for Eindhoven \ud83d\udd0c<\/p>\n \ud83d\udccd London Colney pic.twitter.com\/gewOP4VCeb<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 11, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/p><\/div>\n![\"Mikel](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/34c03ac2-ff99-44d7-8978-d86240caa986.jpg\")
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