Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta has addressed Takehiro Tomiyasu’s fitness ahead of the Gunners’ game against Wolves.
The Japan international has been out of action for a little while now, and it’s fair to say that the Gunners have missed him.
However, after the winter break, the full-back has recovered, and he’s back in training.
Unfortunately, it sounds as though Tomiyasu still isn’t 100 per cent, and while Arteta says he’s been training hard, the manager admits that he has to be careful when it comes to reintegrating the 23-year-old.
What’s Arteta said?
The manager responded when asked about Tomiyasu’s fitness.
“He’s there. He had a recurring injury in the same place so we have to be careful with him but he’s been training hard. Let’s see if he’s available or not,” Arteta said.
On the bench
It sounds as though the best place for Tomiyasu to start against Wolves is on the bench.
Yes, he’s an important player, but if he has a recurring injury, he needs to be eased back into action.
Unfortunately, Arsenal don’t have lots of cover at right-back after Calum Chambers and Ainsley Maitland-Niles departed, but with Cedric Soares and Ben White in the squad, Arsenal should have capable replacements waiting in the wings.
Hopefully we get to see Tomiyasu return against Wolves, but perhaps he’d be best off starting on the bench.
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