World Cup

Arsenal confirm Takehiro Tomiyasu should be fit for World Cup

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 07 November 2022

Arsenal confirm that Takehiro Tomiyasu should be fit to represent Japan at the World Cup despite picking up a muscular injury against FC Zurich in the Europa League.

Arsenal have announced that Takehiro Tomiyasu should be fit for Japan's World Cup campaign after sustaining a muscular injury in the Europa League against FC Zurich.

The 24-year-old has been plagued by numerous fitness woes during his brief time at the Emirates and has fallen behind Ben White in the pecking order.

Tomiyasu had started to earn regular Premier League starts at left-back in recent weeks, though, and he was brought off the bench for last week's win over Zurich.

However, in the dying embers of the game, Tomiyasu was brought off with a muscular problem and subsequently missed Arsenal's victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Prior to coming off injured, the right-back had just been named in Japan's squad for the 2022 World Cup, and fears were immediately raised over his availability for the tournament.

Takehiro Tomiyasu in Arsenal training on November 2, 2022 © Reuters

When asked about the severity of Tomiyasu's injury in his post-game press conference last Thursday, Mikel Arteta said: "We don't know. Obviously he felt something and we didn't want to take any risks.

"With the amount of games we are playing, it's part of [it]. It can happen in training, it can happen in games and unfortunately it happened to Tomi today. The rest all have to be ready because we're going to need everybody now."

The Gunners and Japan have now received positive news on Tomiyasu's condition, though, as a statement on arsenal.com reveals that the former Bologna man is expected to be fit for the upcoming World Cup.

The statement adds that Tomiyasu is still being assessed ahead of Arsenal's EFL Cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion and Premier League meeting with Wolverhampton Wanderers, but he has not been ruled out of the contests.

Tomiyasu has registered one assist from 18 appearances in all tournaments for Arsenal this term, taking his total for the North London club to two assists in 39 games since arriving last summer.

Takehiro Tomiyasu warms up for Arsenal in September 2022 © Reuters

The Japan international has earned 29 caps for his country - scoring once and setting up two more - and is set to make his World Cup debut at the 2022 tournament.

Japan have been drawn against Spain, Germany and Costa Rica in Group E of the World Cup and will begin their competition against the 2014 champions at the Khalifa International Stadium on November 23.

Since Tomiyasu's call-up, Arsenal have seen two more players included in their country's squad for the 2022 World Cup, with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli both selected for the Brazil team.

However, there is no room in Tite's setup for Gabriel Magalhaes, who scored the winning goal against Chelsea on Sunday to keep Arsenal two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

Gabriel is still waiting to make his debut for the Selecao, and Tite has preferred Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Eder Militao and Bremer for the upcoming tournament.