Arsenal are currently short of defensive options after several injuries within the squad, but they may have been handed a boost over Takehiro Tomiyasu. The...
Arsenal are currently short of defensive options after several injuries within the squad, but they may have been handed a boost over Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The 25-year-old has missed the last six Premier League games with a calf injury he picked up against Wolves, and this injury came with extra frustration as it interrupted a fine run of form.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has been heavily criticised in recent weeks, and Tomiyasu would have been a major contender to start the last few games given the form of the left-back.
Ahead of Arsenal’s trip to face Fulham, they have been handed a boost, as Tomiyasu has now been spotted in training, but it is unclear how much of a boost this will currently be.
Arsenal handed potential Tomiyasu fitness boost
Tomiyasu has now been spotted in full training with the Arsenal squad ahead of a trip to face Fulham, where Mikel Arteta’s side will hope to bounce back from their defeat to West Ham.
However, it is not yet clear whether he will be fit to return to the squad for the trip, and it seems unlikely that he will start.
Having Tomiyasu back, even on the bench, would be a major boost, but if he is not yet available, then his return to training means little for Arsenal right now.
Tomiyasu is set to join the Japan squad for a month
The defender is set to join the Japan squad for the Asia Cup, which is set to take place between January 12th and February 10th.
There is just one game in between the trip to Fulham and the beginning of the Asia Cup, which is Arsenal’s FA Cup tie with Liverpool.
It seems unlikely that Tomiyasu will be thrown straight in for the cup tie, and if he is set to join the Japan squad, he may be asked to link up with his National side earlier.
This means that Tomiyasu will have effectively returned in time for the Asia Cup, but not in time to feature for Arsenal until February.
Given his strong performances prior to his injury, Tomiyasu will be a very welcome addition whenever he does return to the squad, but Arteta may look to sign a defender in the January transfer window given his constant injury problems.
Jorrel Hato of Ajax has been linked, as Arsenal would be taking a big risk if they rely on Tomiyasu staying fit for the rest of the season.