Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that young England midfielder has returned to training ahead of the Premier League clash with Southampton. The Gunners play hosts to Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening and newly capped England player Smith-Rowe is expected to be in the squad for the game which is very important for the hosts in their quest to secure passage into next season’s Champions League by finishing in one of the top four places on the league standings.

In his pre-match presser on Friday afternoon ahead of the Saints clash, Arteta told reporters that young England midfielder Smith-Rowe has recovered from the groin injury that forced him to sit out the Premier League meeting with hosts Everton on Monday. Smith-Rowe was sorely missed by an Arsenal side who threw away a first half lead from Martin Odegaard to lose 2-1 as a result of two late goals from their hosts.

Arsenal came into the Everton game on the back of the disappointing 3-2 loss at Manchester United despite taking the lead and the same situation happened again after Norwegian international Martin Odegaard edged Arsenal into the lead at the half-time break. His goal came in first half added time.

The Gunners tried and failed to hold on to the advantage fromOdegaard as they went on to concede two times in the last ten minutes courtesy Brazilian attacker Richarlison and English winger Demarai Gray. The late defeat at the hands of  Everton means that Arsenal have now lost their last two outings in the Premier League thereby denting their hopes of finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League next season.

England midfielder Smith-Rowe missed the Everton game after he picked up a knock from the Manchester United game last week Thursday, but he’s back in training and fit to face the Saints this weekend.