Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to be available for selection when Arsenal face Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend, Mikel Arteta has confirmed.
Despite featuring three times for Japan at the World Cup over the past month, the 24-year-old hasn't made a single appearance for the Gunners since the beginning of November when he limped off towards the end of the 1-0 Europa League win over FC Zurich having only come on a substitute in the 73rd minute.
Subsequently, the versatile defender missed wins over Chelsea and Wolves as well as the Carabao Cup third-round loss at the hands of Brighton prior to the six-week break and didn't take part in any of Arsenal's warm-up games prior to the Premier League restart after picking up yet another injury during his time in Qatar.
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As a result, whilst Tomiyasu was in attendance at the Emirates Stadium for the Boxing Day win over West Ham United, he was seated behind the substitutes bench instead of taking a place alongside the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Cedric Soares.
However, after the defender took part in a full training session at London Colney on Thursday it appeared he was edging closer to making an Arsenal matchday squad for the first time in 58 days and when speaking at his pre-match press conference, Arteta has confirmed this is the case.
"Yeah, he's getting closer and closer. He's training with us so he's available," the Spaniard said.
Capable of operating as a full-back on both flanks, as well as a central defender, it's unlikely that Tomiyasu will be handed a start at the Amex Stadium, but his availability is a boost considering the Gunners have fixtures against Newcastle United, Oxford City, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in the next three weeks.
With that said, it would seem that the Brighton game will come too soon for Emile Smith Rowe to make his return to action following groin surgery that has kept him on the sidelines since the end of September. Although, the good news is that the attacking midfielder is making good progress.
"Very much," Arteta added when asked for an update on the 22-year-old. "He's made big steps in the last week. He took part in some training sessions and looked good. We’re hoping to have him back soon."
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