Arsenal kicked off what could be a defining period in the season with a 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby at the weekend.
That marked the first of nine fixtures in the Premier League and Europa League in October alone and the first of 13 matches across three competitions in six weeks as the season will pause after the weekend of November 12/13 due to the winter World Cup taking place in Qatar.
For many managers, including Mikel Arteta, the volume of games in a short period Is likely to increase the risk of injuries amongst a squad and this represents somewhat of a nightmare scenario for Arsenal especially as Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney don't have the best fitness records.
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On the other hand, the quick turnaround of fixtures will hand those who have been on the periphery - in terms of starts - so far this season a chance for increased involvement. At Arsenal, the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Rob Holding certainly fall into this category.
As does Takehiro Tomiyasu who has been vocal about losing his place at right-back to Ben White for Premier League games: "What is required in this league is quite high and I’m not satisfied," he said. "When you look at the players selected as starters in the Premier League games, you will understand what is required to be there. I will work hard in order to get my position back."
After a promising start to life in English football following an £18million move from Serie A side Bologna on transfer deadline day last summer, the defender was largely considered an automatic starter when Arteta had the luxury of every single first-team squad player available for selection.
However, injuries hampered Tomiyasu's progress at the turn of the year as calf problems in both legs saw him play just once in the Premier League between the beginning of January and the end of April. As a result, it is no surprise that the club have taken a cautious approach with regard to his fitness ever since.
This is perhaps further highlighted by the decision to withdraw the 23-year-old from international duty with Japan earlier than expected last month as he seemed to get through 90 minutes against the USA unscathed and returned to London Colney with a mystery surrounding his availability for the North London Derby.
Now, the good news was that Tomiyasu was included in the matchday squad against Spurs, but after making yet another appearance off the bench it teams the 2-1 Europa League win over FC Zurich remains the only time he has started a competitive fixture for Arsenal so far this season.
But that's likely to change in the next six weeks as Arteta has already detailed his plans for coping with the packed fixture schedule indicates that Tomiyasu's request for more game time in order to put down a marker to reclaim his place from White - or even replace Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back - will be granted.
"You have to go game by game and then form, performances and how players are physically and mentally will dictate how we use them," the Spaniard told reporters. "For sure we’re gonna need everybody. The schedule is hectic and demanding and we need to think very carefully about how we’re going to use and load the players."
With White in fine form at present, it might be a while longer before Tomiyasu can displace the 24-year-old in the starting line-up at right-back in the Premier League. Although, with as many as five Europa League group phase games on the horizon, the Japan international can use the competition to serve Arteta a timely reminder.
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