MX23RW : Friday, November 8 20:21:45| >> :120:4831:4831:

Arsenal dealt crushing injury blow as 25-year-old 'suffers serious setback'

Look away Gooners: Beloved defender 'suffers serious injury setback'
© Imago
Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu reportedly suffers a fresh injury setback from a previous knee problem and is now facing another month on the sidelines.

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has reportedly suffered yet another injury setback and could now spend another few weeks on the sidelines.

After spending three months recuperating from a knee problem sustained in pre-season, the Japan international finally made his first appearance of the season in Arsenal's 3-1 win over Southampton two weekends ago.

Tomiyasu replaced Thomas Partey for the final six minutes of that come-from-behind triumph, although he was not called up to the Japan squad for this month's World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Australia and Saudi Arabia.

There was no mention of a fresh issue for Tomiyasu immediately after the Southampton clash, and the 25-year-old was expected to be in contention for a start in this Saturday's clash with Bournemouth.

However, TEAMTalk claims that the injury-riddled Tomiyasu has potentially suffered a recurrence of his previous knee issue, and he could face another month on the treatment table.

Arsenal 'seriously concerned' about new Tomiyasu blow

Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu pictured in April 2024© Imago

Gunners staff are supposedly 'seriously concerned' about the former Bologna man's condition, and he is believed to have sustained the complication during his six-minute run-out against Southampton.

Tomiyasu's latest blow comes at an inconvenient time for Mikel Arteta, who is already stretched thin in the full-back areas thanks to Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White, Kieran Tierney and Jurrien Timber's injuries.

Arsenal have also been dealt a number of fresh blows over the international break, as Bukayo Saka hurt his hamstring while playing for England, and Gabriel Martinelli is confirmed to be nursing a calf issue.

In addition, Germany's Kai Havertz and Ghana's Thomas Partey both had to withdraw from their national teams, but Arsenal are apparently confident of having them back in time for Saturday's trip to Bournemouth.

Saka is also said to be optimistic about his chances of being fit for the clash with the Cherries, but Martinelli is more of a doubt, and captain Martin Odegaard is still missing following reports that he has also suffered a fresh setback.

What games will Tomiyasu miss? Should Arsenal consider selling him?

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pictured on August 31, 2024© Imago

Should Tomiyasu not be available again until after the next international break, the Japan international stands to miss at least seven games for Arsenal, starting with Saturday's showdown against Bournemouth and the Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk next week.

Arsenal will also have to cope without the versatile defender for the home tie against Liverpool on October 27, in addition to their EFL Cup fourth-round tie with Preston North End on October 30.

A critical 10-day period follows for the Gunners after that, as they meet Newcastle United (November 2), Inter Milan (November 6) and Chelsea (November 10) before the final international break of the year, and Tomiyasu should not feature in any of those games.

The 25-year-old is a terrific option to have available when fit - hence Arsenal rewarding him with a new deal earlier this year - but his injury record is now too difficult to ignore, and the Gunners must surely consider offloading him in 2025.

Arsenal are understood to be open to January or summer bids for Tomiyasu, who is out of contract in 2026 and is thought to be on the radar of Serie A giants Juventus and Inter Milan.

ID:555441:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect7020:

Click here for more stories about Takehiro Tomiyasu

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard celebrate on April 28, 2024
Read Next:
Hope springs eternal: Injured Arsenal star 'confident' of facing Bournemouth
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!