Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has explained the decision to have Emile Smith Rowe to undergo surgery.

The midfielder underwent groin surgery this week, which could see him be missing until Christmas.

Arteta said, "We had to make a decision and we could not continue with that uncertainty. Do we have him do we not have him? Do we have him or do we have him under certain conditions? We made that decision. The player was the first one demanding that he wanted an end decision and we supported that and now we have to prepare him to get back to where he was.

"After a surgery it's very difficult to give a timeline. The first process, how his bones heal, how is his first reaction, is he in pain, is he not, how is he adapting? We need to go step by step. We know before the World Cup he's not going to be involved and then we have a break and we have to use it in the right way."

He added: "We put all the alternatives on the table. We have tried some other (solutions) during the last few months and they haven't really worked to the point where the player was comfortable and consistently available at his best to perform. Then we decided to take that route. We all thought it was the best decision and we'll stick to it and move on."