Arsenal receive bad news ahead of their match against Manchester City

The FA Cup returns this week and Arsenal will be in action tonight at the Etihad Stadium as Mikel Arteta’s team will meet the Premier League defending Champions Manchester City but the gunners have got bad news ahead of this game.

Emile Smith Rowe is set to miss Arsenal’s FA Cup fourth round game against Manchester City tonight on Friday night at the Etihad Stadium as per The Standard. The 22-year-old midfielder has been ruled out due to a thigh issue, which is not related to the groin injury that he had surgery on in the past.

The club have described Smith Rowe’s absence as precautionary, and it is hoped that he will be fit to return for their next game against Everton at the next weekend. Arteta will be hoping that the youngster can make a swift recovery, as he will be needed in the next couple of weeks as the UEFA Europa League will restart.

Smith Rowe has been one of the standout players for Arsenal in the past two years, with his energy and creativity in midfield proving invaluable to Arteta’s side. His absence could give other players an opportunity to impress against Manchester City, with the likes of Marquinhos or Fabio Vieira now more likely to get minutes on the pitch.