Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after the Japanese international suffered a knee injury a week ago.
Tomiyasu came off during the Europa League game against Sporting CP on Thursday, with team-mate William Saliba also picking up an injury during the match. It has since been confirmed that Tomiyahsu suffered a knee injury and is set to begin rehabilitation, which will rule him out for the rest of the season and see him miss the chance to help Arsenal clinch the Premier League title.
Tomiyasu, 24, has played 31 matches in all competitions this season and has been a dependable option for Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, with the player able to slot in at right-back or left-back. Indeed, Tomiyasu had featured in all-but-two of Arsenal's Premier League games since the turn of the year.
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"Following his substitution during last Thursday’s Europa League match, subsequent assessments have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained a significant injury to his right knee," a statement from Arsenal read. "Tomi has had successful surgery in London on Tuesday and will be ruled out for the remainder of this season.
"Everyone at the club will now be working hard with Tomi, so he can join pre-season training ahead of next season." Tomiyasu has responded to the blow by posting to his Instagram story, re-posting a message from fellow defender Oleksandr Zinchenko, who said: "Come back stronger brother!"
In response to Zinchencko, Tomiyasu shared the story with two flexing biceps emojis with striker Gabriel Jesus - who has just recovered from a knee injury - sending a similar message. Tomiyasu, a 2021 signing from Bologna, has made 53 appearances in total for the Gunners and has been an ever-present in the club's Europa League campaign this season, which ended in defeat to Sporting after a penalty shootout.
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