Arsenal are set to have Takehiro Tomiyasu fit to return to action after the World Cup.
The defender limped off with a thigh issue during last week’s win over FC Zurich and there were initial doubts about his participation in Qatar.
However, Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu revealed on Monday that Tomiyasu is set to be fit before their tournament opener on November 23, meaning he should at least be ready for Arsenal’s return to action a month later.
“I hear it's possible for him to return before the start of the tournament,” he is quoted by Kyodo News as saying.
Tomiyasu missed the weekend win at Chelsea and is a doubt for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup meeting with Brighton and Premier League trip to Wolves.
Mikel Arteta may not want to risk the full-back for either game with plenty of options in that position, while also improving his chances of featuring when the Gunners host West Ham in their return to action on Boxing Day.
“He felt something and we didn’t want to take any risks,” he said after the Zurich game.
“With the amount of games that we’re playing, it’s part of it. It can happen in training, it can happen in games and unfortunately, it happened to Tomi today.”
