Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has told Football.London following the match against Leeds United that Takehiro Tomiyasu has been struggling all week.
Tomiyasu started for Arsenal in the Premier League game against Leeds away from home at Elland Road on Saturday evening.
The right-back had to be taken off in the 64th minute.
Arsenal won 4-1.
Mikel Arteta on Takehiro Tomiyasu injury
Arteta told Football.London about Tomiyasu’s injury: “It was more a muscular issue.
“He’s got a big load on him and this week he’s been a bit struggling. We decided to take him off. He wasn’t 100% confident to finish the match.”
Hoping for swift recovery
Tomiyasu has been a big player for Arsenal so far this season.
The Japan international has established himself as the first-choice right-back for the Gunners.
The 23-year-old, who can also operate as a centre-back, will hope for a swift recovery.
Yes, Arteta has other options at right-back, but there is no doubt that Tomiyasu is the best player he has got for that position.
Arteta’s comments suggest that he is not particularly worried about the Japanese defender being sidelined for too long.
In our opinion, it would be wise of Arteta not to include Tomiyasu in the team against Sunderland in the Carabao Cup next weekn.
Arsenal take on Norwich Cry in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
That is another game that the Gunners could potentially not play Tomiyasu given the level of the opposition.
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