Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Emile Smith Rowe will be able to play a part in Monday's FA Cup third-round tie against Oxford United.
The 22-year-old has been sidelined since undergoing groin surgery in September, having aggravated a long-standing issue during the Gunners' 3-1 loss to Manchester United.
Smith Rowe has since missed 16 matches for Arsenal across all tournaments, but he has been stepping up his recovery in recent weeks and is back in training at London Colney.
A recent report claimed that Smith Rowe would be assessed over the weekend ahead of Monday's game, and Arteta was asked about the England international's condition at his pre-game press conference.
The Spaniard echoed those sentiments and is optimistic that he will be able to call upon Smith Rowe for the trip to the Kassam Stadium, saying: "Tomorrow if he trains well, he will hopefully be available to give us something in the game," as quoted by arsenal.com.
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Arteta also hinted at using Smith Rowe through the middle in order to ease the burden on Eddie Nketiah, who is Arsenal's only recognised central option in the absence of Gabriel Jesus.
"We need him fit and at his best, and when we have that, we have an incredible player that we have missed a lot in the last few months. He can play as an attacking midfielder, as a winger and even as a nine; I think he's played there before," Arteta added.
Jesus and Reiss Nelson are two guaranteed absences for Arsenal, who are out to win the FA Cup for a record-extending 15th time after collecting their 14th crown in the 2020 campaign.
However, Arsenal have failed to get past the fourth round since last lifting the trophy and were knocked out by Nottingham Forest in round three during the 2021-22 season, and Arteta is taking nothing for granted against League One opposition.
"It is obviously a competition that is attached to the successful history of this club, so on Monday we'll have a good start and a good test," Arteta explained. "We have to take the competition and the opponent very seriously and play well, to a high level to win the match.
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"It is a competition that we are really looking forward to playing in, and brings back huge memories to our football club and the team, because not many years ago we won it, but also last year how we went out of the competition. It's a competition that we really want to play in and compete.
"It's always tricky. I've played there [Oxford] a few times and have experienced very difficult matches, so it will be difficult. We have to take the competition and the opponent very seriously and play well, to a high level to win the match.
"It will be difficult. From what we've seen they've played in different ways, and result-wise as well they've had a bit of everything. It'll be a very special night and everybody will raise their level and it will be tough."
Arsenal prepare for their return to the FA Cup sitting five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, while Oxford are languishing in 15th place in the League One standings.
The Gunners last tackled Oxford in the third round of the 2002-03 FA Cup, where Dennis Bergkamp scored in a 2-0 victory before Arsenal went on to defeat Southampton in the final.
Ben Knapton
