Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu has said that Takehiro Tomiyasu is expected to be fit for the 2022 FIFA World Cup later this month in what is an encouraging injury update for the Arsenal defender.
Speaking to the press via Football London during a press conference to confirm Japan’s squad for Qatar, the 54-year-old coach announced that Tomiyasu will recover in time to feature for the Asian powerhouses at the World Cup, with Tomiyasu expected to miss Arsenal’s last two games before the winter break.
The 23-year-old fullback came off last week in Arsenal’s 1-0 win against FC Zurich in the UEFA Europa League after feeling something shortly after coming on as a substitute. However, Tomiyasu is on course to be fit for Japan for the World Cup following this latest injury update from Moriyasu.
The Japan manager said when asked about Tomiyasu’s latest fitness concerns ahead of the World Cup: “I’ve been told that he can return to work before the start of the World Cup, that he will recover without giving up & face it in good condition.”
Signed from Bologna last year for nearly £20m, Tomiyasu has been one of Arsenal’s most important players over the last 12 months with the Japanese international thriving at both right-back and left-back for the Gunners, with the defender proving to be one of Mikel Arteta’s most versatile players in the entire squad.
Whilst injury problems have been a concern for the 23-year-old, Tomiyasu’s performances have made the defender a favourite at the Emirates Stadium. And for Japan, having the former Serie A star fully fit for the World Cup is a huge boost for the Samuari’s bid to make history out on Qatar.
Tomiyasu injury update is massive for Japan and Arsenal
Japan head to Qatar as one of the underdogs of the competition, with Moriyasu’s side hopeful of a World Cup-best finish with arguably one of their strongest sides in recent memory. And Tomiyasu being fit for the competition is huge for the Asian nation and Arsenal.
After all, Tomiyasu is expected to be a regular for a Japan side looking to progress past the group stages, and for the Gunners, the defender having a strong and healthy competition will be ideal as Arsenal look to have all their players match fit ahead of the Boxing Day Premier League return against West Ham.
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