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Arsenal have received another injury setback as defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is facing a spell on the sidelines through injury, according to TEAMtalk. The versatile defender has struggled with injuries throughout his time at the club, appearing just 84 times since 2021.
Tomiyasu made 30 appearances across all competitions in an Arsenal shirt in the 2023-24 season, with a calf problem limiting his participation with the Gunners. He picked up a knee injury in the summer, which has limited him to just one appearance, a six-minute cameo, this season.
TEAMtalk reports that Tomiyasu has re-injured his knee after featuring for the last six minutes in his side's win over Southampton before the international break. Japan decided against inviting Tomiyasu for their games against Saudi Arabia and Australia this month. This was because of his lack of sharpness, but he has also picked up an injury.
Arsenal are fearful that the defender has re-injured the same knee that kept him out for months and are hopeful of a favorable prognosis. They expect him to spend around a month on the sidelines, ruling him out of the game against Bournemouth this weekend (October 19).
Tomiyasu, who is capable of playing in any of the defensive positions, has shown his quality for Mikel Arteta's side over the years. With his injury, the Gunners are left with only Dutch defender Jurrien Timber as a right-back option due to a reported injury to Ben White.
Arsenal boss Arteta will have a headache. Thomas Partey and Kai Havertz also pulled out of international duty with Ghana and Germany, respectively, due to fitness concerns. With the Gunners third in the Premier League, they can ill afford any slip-ups this season.
Arsenal star set to return against Bournemouth
Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka is set to return to action when the Gunners resume from the international break against Bournemouth away on October 19. The England international appeared to pick up a knock in the Three Lions' 2-1 defeat at the hands of Greece on October 10.
Saka withdrew from the England squad after undergoing some tests and did not participate in their 3-1 win over Finland. Interim manager Lee Carsley revealed that the 23-year-old did not have a serious problem and may have been fit enough to play against Finland.
“Bukayo would have been close but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him. He’s a positive person and I expect him to be fine.”
The Gunners are hopeful of having the winger back for their weekend trip to Bournemouth after his terrific start to the season. He has contributed two goals and seven assists in just seven league appearances this season.
