Arsenal are back in Premier League action on Sunday when they face Watford at Vicarage Road.
Having beaten Wolves twice and Brentford last month, Mikel Arteta will be keen for his side to make it four straight wins to boost their hopes of Champions League qualification.
Although, the Gunners may have to do so without Takehiro Tomiyasu once again as he's doubtful for the game against the Hornets as revealed by the Spaniard in his pre-match press conference.
"We’re in the same place as last week," the Arsenal manager told reporters on Friday. "We still have the doubt with Tomiyasu. The rest I think they’re all there."
The 23-year-old has endured a stop-start 2022 after aggravating a calf injury - first sustained over the festive period - during the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg defeat to Liverpool in January.
He did appear to be closing in on a return against Brentford as he was an unused substitute, but unfortunately, he damaged his other calf in the days following causing him to miss the Wolves game.
"Yes, it was the other calf," Arteta confirmed. "So he came back and he was completely fine, and in training he felt the other calf.
"This is an issue because he’s a professional, who is giving absolutely everything to help us, and in the last few months he’s not been fit."
With games against Leicester City, Liverpool and Aston Villa on the horizon, it would be in Arteta's best interests to not take any risks with Tomiyasu as another setback could put the defender out for the season.
Therefore, if the Japan international is unable to face Watford his obvious replacement in the starting lineup is Cedric Soares, but Arsenal still need to name a 20-man matchday squad.
As the club's official website lists 21 senior players it means Arteta will have to call up an academy player for the trip to Vicarage Road if Tomiyasu is unavailable for selection.
It would appear that in Tomiyasu's potential absence, Zak Swanson will be named on the bench - 10 days on from receiving his first ever senior call-up for the win over Wolves.
However, there's another youngster in contention.
Does Tomiyasu make it in your starting XI vs Watford? Pick below
Interestingly when Tomiyasu missed Arsenal's last away fixture - the 1-0 win over Wolves - it was central defender Zach Awe who was named on the bench as he provided defensive cover alongside Nuno Tavares.
And prior to Friday night's Premier League 2 North London Derby win over Tottenham Hotspur, he was not named in the Arsenal's Under-23s squad at all.
Neither was Swanson and the fact they both trained with the first-team this week may hint at Arteta having two replacements in mind just in case Tomiyasu misses out again.
