Arsenal have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu will not return to full training until at least mid-April. It was thought that the former Bologna man could return sooner rather than later having been involved in training but Arsenal have now revealed that he's still over a week away from joining in fully with the current group.
A statement from the club read: "Left calf. Takehiro is making progress in his recovery from a muscle injury to his left calf, which he sustained in February. Takehiro had successfully recovered from a muscle injury sustained to his right calf in January.
"It is hoped Takehiro will be back in full training after the match at Southampton on Saturday, April 16. All other players in the men’s first-team squad are currently fit and available for selection."
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It's not all doom and gloom, however, as it looks as though the Japan international will still be able to have his say on at least two of the Gunners' most important fixtures in the end-of-season run-in. Whilst a return against Chelsea on Wednesday April 20 may come too soon for the Japanese full-back, the latest update does suggest that he's likely to be in contention for the clash against Manchester United just a few days later (April 23).
Providing he doesn't pick up a further setback, he'll also be available for what promises to be one of the biggest north London derbies in years. The rescheduled fixture is now set to take place at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium on Thursday, May 12. It will be followed by just two more games for the Gunners against Newcastle and Everton respectively.
With Arsenal currently level on points with their arch-rivals - albeit Arteta's men do have a game in hand - it looks as though Champions League qualification will go down to the wire. Tomiyasu's return could ultimately help to sure things up in what promises to be a nervy final stretch.
