Mikel Arteta has revealed after Arsenal’s stalemate against Burnley that Takehiro Tomiyasu could be out with injury for some weeks.
Speaking to the press via Football London, the Basque coach said that the Japanese international could be out for some time after being rushed back early from a hamstring problem.
Tomiyasu returned to the Arsenal XI in Thursday’s League Cup match against Liverpool, however, the defender aggravated the injury which could now see the right-back miss February’s Premier League matches.
The 23-year-old has already been withdrawn from Japan’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and according to Arteta, Tomiyasu could be missing for a few weeks due to injury.
The Arsenal manager said when asked about the fullback: “Tomi had an injury and we didn’t have anybody to play in that position against Liverpool. He needs to recover and look after himself, to try and be available as quick as he can. He will be out for a few weeks.”
Tomiyasu, who signed for Arsenal for a reported £16m according to the Athletic, has been a revelation for the north London side this season. And his presence at right-back will no doubt be missed if the defender misses the next game against Wolves.
Indeed, Tomiyasu has become a fan favourite at the Emirates, and fans on social media are fuming that the defender could miss multiple matches through injury due to Arteta yet again pushing a player to play through a knock.
Arsenal fans rage at Arteta after Tomiyasu injury update
Arteta made a similar error last season with Thomas Partey. And given Tomiyasu’s importance to the defence, Arsenal fans are fuming that the defender has had his injury made worse by the Gunners boss.
Here’s what some Arsenal fans had to say about Arteta’s injury update on Tomiyasu on Twitter…
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