This season, Arsenal have played Ben White, naturally a centre-back, at right-back in an overhaul of Mikel Arteta's playing style. The decision has ultimately paid off and has left Takehiro Tomiyasu on the bench.
The Japan international has played 31 times this season but has only started 13. His season came to an end last month after sustaining an injury to his right knee in the Europa League exit to Sporting CP.
Tomiyasu also missed nine games last season between February and April with a calf injury. With Cedric Soares' imminent future in north London seeming to be elsewhere, sporting director Edu Gaspar may delve into the market for a new deputy.