Arsenal were on the receiving end of another major injury blow this week following confirmation that Takehiro Tomiyasu would miss the rest of the season.
The 24-year-old underwent knee surgery on Tuesday in London after over-extending in a challenge against Sporting CP last week. He was pictured leaving the Emirates Stadium on crutches and missed the 4-1 win over Crystal Palace.
An official club statement read: "Tomi has had successful surgery in London on Tuesday and will be ruled out for the remainder of this season. Everyone at the club will now be working hard with Tomi, so he can join pre-season training ahead of next season."
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Tomiyasu's absence will present a big problem for Mikel Arteta. Although he's not first choice at right-back, the Japanese international has been a constant hit when called upon - at left-back and right-back - this season.
Ben White's emergence as one of the Premier League best performers in the position has meant Tomiyasu has been the deputy to the England international. However, with Cedric Soares on loan at Fulham, Arsenal have only one natural right-back available for the remainder of their Premier League title race.
With so much on the line for the Gunners with ten games remaining, it would be understandable for supporters to be tempted to press the'panic button. Tomiyasu joins Eddie Nketiah, William Saliba and Mohamed Elneny in the medical room at London Colney.
But Arteta has already laid down the foundations to deal with problems like this. In Sunday's victory over Palace, the Gunners boss showcased his creativity and forward thinking by placing defensive midfielder Thomas Partey at right-back.
The Ghana international is one of the league's best in the anchor position in front of the defence. His tall, athletic frame makes him a natural at dispossessing players, intercepting passes and shrugging opposition off the ball.
However, he has previous in playing in defence. According to transfermarkt, he played 11 games at right-back for Atletico Madrid - keeping eight clean sheets.
Some Arsenal supporters may remember his cameo on the right-hand side of Diego Simeone's defensive line against the Gunners back in 2018. He partnered Diego Godin, Jose Gimenez and Lucas Hernandez in a back four and did a tremendous job at keeping Arsene Wenger's side quiet in a crucial Europa League semi-final.
Partey's versatility to switch to a more defensive role would allow for White to fill-in for Saliba. The centre-back has withdrawn from the France squad after sustaining an injury in the Sporting CP clash - although the severity of the back injury remains unclear.
Should the worst-case scenario fall on Arteta's and Saliba faces a period out of action, a re-jig of the starting line-up could be on the cards against Leeds United next time out. Fortunately for the Gunners, Jorginho is capable of filling in for Partey in the defensive midfielder role.
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