“I had surgery twice.” – Emile Smith-Rowe makes first team vow after disrupted 22/23 campaign

Emile Smith-Rowe has vowed to prove himself at Arsenal after overcoming his recent injury issues. 

The attacker is fresh from winning the European Championship with England under 21s and will be hoping to carry that good form into the new season with the Gunners.

He saw his progress slow last season, after undergoing groin surgery to fix a long-term issue, the midfielder is back with his Arsenal teammates and eager to make up for lost time.

Smith-Rowe made just 14 appearances last season with all of those coming off the bench, with the England international all too aware of the challenge he has ahead of him.

But that hasn’t stopped him from wanting to prove a point to boss Mikel Arteta as he admits this coming season is “massive” for him.

Can Emile Smith-Rowe break into the first team this season?

Speaking to Football London after Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, Smith-Rowe detailed his ambitions for the season. Before that, he did admit how tough the 2022/23 season was for him on a personal level.

“It was really tough because I had surgery twice, so it was really hard. But my family, friends and the club helped me a lot to get through it. I’m just really happy to be pain-free right now and get fit.

“This was my first time having surgery, so it was a really hard decision to take but I went for it.”

Smith-Rowe will be hoping he can recapture the form he showed in the 2021/22 season which saw him 11 goals in 37 games for the Gunners. That season also saw him called up to the England senior side as he looks to kick on and make up for lost time.

He will face a tough test though, with Bukayo Saka an Gabriel Martinelli establishing themselves as first-choice regulars on either flank. Kai Havertz has also been added to the squad which will only add to the competition in front of the young forward.