Arsenal have confirmed that defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has undergone knee surgery. The 24-year-old suffered a knock against Sporting CP in the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday after over-extending in a challenge, eventually leaving the Emirates stadium on crutches.
Now that the medical staff have learned the extent of the defender's injury, an official club statement reads: "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."
The Japanese international has suffered an injury-ridden campaign but, when available, his versatility has come in handy so an extended absence from the side is a huge blow to Arsenal's title hopes. Tomiyasu wasn't the only Gunners star to have picked up a knock against the Portuguese outfit on Thursday evening.
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William Saliba followed his teammate down the tunnel just moments later after appearing to have an issue with his back. The France Football Federation later officially announced that the 21-year-old would be replaced from the men's senior international team due to the knock, having initially been called up.
The latest wave of setbacks at Arsenal have come just days after Erik ten Hag suggested that the north London outfit have been lucky with injuries. The Manchester United boss said: "Only in one game could I say, ok I can pick my team, also from a tactical approach, that was perfect. That was against Man City at home.
"And that was the only time in this season. In other times, in every game, it was one player suspended, one player is injured or [has] illness, so we have to deal with it well but of course you hope, like I see with Arsenal, that they almost have all the time their squad available."
To which Arteta responded: "We lost players, we lost Gabi [Jesus] for four months, we lost Thomas [Partey] for one and a half months, we lost Alex Zinchenko for one and a half months, we lost Mo Elneny for six to eight months. Now we’ve lost Eddie [Nketiah] and Tomiyasu or Saliba.
"Everybody has to give a bit more. It’s not a secret. If we want to maintain that level we have to give more and Rob [Holding] is clear example of what we needed today."
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