Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu faces “weeks” on the sidelines, in a significant injury blow ahead of the new season.
Tomiyasu was not involved in Arsenal’s pre-season tour to the USA, and played no part against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night or in the Emirates Cup win over Lyon on Sunday.
The Gunners begin their Premier League campaign at home to Wolves next weekend, but Tomiyasu will remain unavailable for that match and the opening fixtures of the season.
“I think it will take weeks on that one, unfortunately, and poor Tomi because of everything that he does,” Arteta said after the Lyon match.
“But he’s going to have to be patient and work through it because I think it’s going to take a few weeks.”
Tomiyasu featured regularly in the Arsenal lineup at the end of last season but a calf issue hampered him in the middle months of the campaign.
After returning from the Asian Cup at the start of February with the issue, Tomiyasu did not start a game for Arsenal until the end of April, and hopes of an injury-free run into this season have been ended early.
There was a more positive update from Arteta on Jurrien Timber, who has been battling a foot issue and missed Arsenal’s final three pre-season fixtures.
“It is fine,” Arteta said.
“He’s been doing some individual work, that’s clear now and we expect him to be ready to train with the group in the next week because he has no reaction. Very positive.”
The Gunners have therefore been cautious with the Dutchman’s workload this summer, keen to avoid taking any risks with his fitness.
