Emile Smith Rowe is set to be in attendance at the Emirates Stadium when Arsenal host Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
Unfortunately for the attacking midfielder, it will once again be a watching brief as he's still on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery at the end of September in a bid to overcome a troublesome groin injury: "In recent months, Emile Smith Rowe has been experiencing discomfort in his groin, which has limited his training and match appearances," a statement released on the club's website read.
"Following a significant setback at our Premier League match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 4, and after further specialist consultations and discussions with our medical team, Emile underwent surgery to repair a damaged tendon in his groin.
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"This successful surgery took place in London in the past few days and Emile’s rehabilitation programme is already underway. We are hopeful that Emile will return to full training in December. Everyone at the club will now be supporting and working hard with Emile to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible."
Whilst the hope is that Smith Rowe can resume full training next month, there are still five Arsenal fixtures between now and when the season pauses for the winter World Cup in Qatar that he will not be available for selection for - starting with this weekend's clash against Nottingham Forest.
Although, the 22-year-old will be at the Emirates to cheer on his teammates from behind the bench or in the stands after explaining this has been his routine for home matches during the period when he's not been able to train.
"Yeah I go to all the home games and I support the boys," Smith Rowe revealed in the club's latest 'Colney Carpool' edition hosted by Frimpon. "Away games are quite tough. It'd be fun to sit with the away fans, it would be scenes to be fair but I'm here [London Colney] working on the days we have games."
Smith Rowe's game-time so far this season totals just 47 minutes which is a stark contrast to a year ago when he was a key player for Arsenal after signing a new contract, being handed the club's iconic number 10 shirt - previously worn by the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Jack Wilshere and Mesut Ozil.
Next month will mark a year since the midfielder earned the first of three senior England caps and instead of representing the Three Lions at the winter World Cup, Smith Rowe's focus will be on ensuring he's in the best possible shape for the Gunners when the season resumes on Boxing Day.
If Smith Rowe's - who netted 10 Premier League goals last season - injury issues don't continue post-World Cup then he could be a huge difference-maker during the second half of the campaign as of late, Arsenal have lacked a clinical edge in front of goal which has cost them in games against Southampton and PSV Eindhoven.
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