‘will not play tonight’: Mikel Arteta suggests ‘incredible’ player will definitely not play tonight
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has issued the latest update on Takehiro Tomiyasu‘s injury ahead of the game against Brighton tonight.
The Gunners kick off their Carabao Cup campaign with a home game against the Seagulls today. Arteta is set to make a number of changes to his side, but the one player who will definitely miss the clash at the Emirates is Tomiyasu.
Mikel Arteta thinks Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu will be fine for the World Cup
During Arsenal’s Europa League game against FC Zurich last week, Tomiyasu went to ground with what seemed like a muscular injury.
The Japan international was immediately substituted, and he missed the following game against Chelsea as a result. Fears emerged over his availability for Arsenal’s last two games before the World Cup and of course, the tournament in Qatar itself.
Thankfully, there’s some good news.
Arteta revealed that Tomiyasu’s injury is only minor and he should be back in a week or so. That means he’ll be fit for the World Cup, but it seems like he’s definitely not in contention for the game against Brighton tonight.
Arteta said, as per Football London: “It’s a small injury for Tomi, he did well to stop during the match, so it’s not going to be a big issue.
“I think he will be back in a week or so, so hopefully, he will be fine to start at the World Cup.”
Our View:
Tomiyasu, branded as ‘incredible’ by Kevin Campbell, hasn’t really been a regular starter for Arsenal when everybody has been fit, but he is still a hugely important player for the Gunners.
The Japan international can play anywhere across the backline. Although his natural position is at right-back, Arteta has preferred him on the opposite side on numerous occasions this season – ahead of Kieran Tierney.
Missing Tomiyasu for the game against Brighton tonight and at Wolves this weekend is not ideal, but it’s really good news for Arsenal fans that his injury is not a serious one.
He should be available for Japan at the World Cup and once that’s done, he’ll be ready to go for the Gunners as they hope to mount a title charge in the second half of the campaign.
