He is definitely going to start today: Mikel Arteta set to start ‘excellent’ Arsenal player for the first time in 2024 vs West Ham after recent injury blow

admin_403zj633February 11, 2024Last Updated: February 11, 2024

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Takehiro Tomiyasu could come straight back into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI for Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

The Japanese defender has only recently returned to Arsenal training after spending the past month at the Asian Cup.

Tomiyasu crashed out of the competition in the quarter-finals with Japan following a 2-1 defeat to Iran.

The 25-year-old was enjoying a run in Mikel Arteta’s side before picking up a calf injury in early December.

But after featuring four times for Japan over the past four weeks, he could come back into the side for the first time this year against West Ham today.

Tomiyasu could start for Arsenal at West Ham
The Evening Standard claims that Tomiyasu may yet return to the Arsenal side for their trip to the London Stadium today.

It’s noted that after Oleksandr Zinchenko was forced off with a calf problem against Liverpool last weekend, Tomiyasu could come straight back into the team.

Zinchenko remains a doubt while Gabriel Jesus could also miss out after missing the 3-1 win over Liverpool with a knee injury.

Arsenal will be hoping to build on what was a statement win over Jurgen Klopp’s side last Sunday. The 3-1 victory put them right back in the mix for the Premier League title.

After such a commanding display, you’d imagine that Arteta will be reluctant to change his starting XI. But with Zinchenko currently a doubt, Tomiyasu could slot in at left-back.

It will be a huge boost for Arteta to have the ‘excellent’ defender back in the side as we approach the business end of the campaign.

Tomiyasu has proven to be an important option for the Spaniard due to his ability to play across the backline.

His return may have just come at an ideal time with Zinchenko being forced off in last weekend’s win at the Emirates Stadium.