Arsenal transfer news: Emile Smith Rowe will not make RB Leipzig debut for three weeks due to injury

The 18-year-old has been struggling with a groin injury, which was known to Leipzig before the loan move was confirmed

Emile Smith Rowe will not start training with RB Leipzig for up to three weeks due to a groin injury suffered at Arsenal before Christmas.

As first reported by The Independent on Wednesday, the 18-year-old starlet has joined the Bundesliga side on a five-month loan deal.

The injury was suffered during training at Arsenal and was known to Leipzig and manager Ralf Rangnick ahead of the move.

After Leipzig defeated Hannover 3-0 on Friday, Rangnick said:

“He has a groin injury suffered in London and will not be able to train fully with us for the next two or three weeks.

“We have to wait and see for now until we get him properly fit.”

Leipzig had long held an interest in Smith Rowe, but any loan move was subject to Arsenal confirming the signing of Denis Suarez from Barcelona.

With the Gunners out of both domestic cup competitions, playing time in the second half of the season would have been severely limited for the teenager, who was given Unai Emery’s full-blessing to leave for first-team action.

There is no option-to-buy included in the deal with Smith Rowe seen as a long-term star at Arsenal.