Why Takehiro Tomiyasu may not play for Arsenal again until February
- Japanese international injured in recent win over Wolves at Emirates Stadium
- Tomiyasu may need at least a month to recover from calf problem
- The 25-year-old may then be called into Japan's Asian Cup squad
Takehiro Tomiyasu may not play for Arsenal again until February because of a calf injury and probable involvement in Japan's Asian Cup campaign, 90min understands.
The Japanese international came off towards the end of the recent 2-1 win over Wolves at the Emirates Stadium, having kept Ben White out of the side to start in his favoured right-back position.
"We had a scan and it’s not good news," manager Mikel Arteta subsequently said of Tomiyasu's issue. "He’s got an injury in his calf and he’s going to be out for a while I think."
Sources have confirmed to 90min that the calf injury will likely sideline Tomiyasu for at least four weeks, but it may be even longer before he pulls on an Arsenal jersey again.
The 25-year-old, if fit, is expected to join up with Japan for the 2023 Asian Cup, which runs between 12 January and 10 February, and that could mean that Tomiyasu is not available for selection until Arsenal visit Burnley at Turf Moor on 17 February.
The games Tomiyasu could miss for Arsenal
Date | Fixture | Competition |
|---|---|---|
09/12/2023 | Aston Villa (a) | Premier League |
12/12/2023 | PSV Eindhoven (a) | Champions League |
17/12/2023 | Brighton (h) | Premier League |
23/12/2023 | Liverpool (a) | Premier League |
28/12/2023 | West Ham (h) | Premier League |
31/12/2023 | Fulham (a) | Premier League |
06/01/2024 | Liverpool (h) | FA Cup 3rd Round |
20/01/2024 | Crystal Palace | Premier League |
27/01/2024 | TBA | FA Cup 4th Round |
30/01/2024 | Nottm Forest (a) | Premier League |
03/02/2024 | Liverpool (h) | Premier League |
10/02/2024 | West Ham (a) | Premier League |
Tomiyasu could miss Arsenal's next 12 games as a result, with a hectic fixture schedule containing Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup clashes really testing the character and depth of Arteta's squad.
The Gunners take on Liverpool three times in that period - home and away in the league and also in the FA Cup third round - but also face tricky looking games at in-form Aston Villa and against Brighton at home - the Seagulls have won their last three games in north London by an 8-2 aggregate score.
Arteta is expected to cover Tomiyasu's absence by recalling White to the starting lineup, but the Spaniard won't want to suffer any further injury problems with Jurrien Timber already a long-term injury casualty.
Arsenal's head coach has enjoyed what he's seen from both Tomiyasu and White this season, prompting the club to open negotiations with the pair over new and improved contracts.
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