Emile Smith Rowe had been hoping to start Arsenal’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Manchester City

Emile Smith Rowe will miss tonight’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Manchester City after suffering a minor setback in training.

The 22-year-old has endured a frustrating season and been restricted to just seven substitute appearances in all competitions.

Having lost his place to Gabriel Martinelli at the start of the campaign, Smith Rowe was forced to undergo groin surgery after he aggravated an existing groin problem during the warm down that followed September’s defeat at Old Trafford.

Smith Rowe missed the World Cup as a result but made his eagerly anticipated comeback against Oxford United earlier this month and made a subsequent substitute appearance against Tottenham at fortnight ago.

According The Evening Standard, the versatile forward’s latest setback is not connected to his previous injury and he has been left behind in London as a precaution.

More to follow…

The England international had been hoping to make his first start of the season.