According to various reports, Takehiro Tomiyasu is facing between four to six weeks on the sidelines as a result of his latest calf issue.
The Japan international picked up the problem in the closing stages of the weekend’s win over Wolves and had to be substituted 11 minutes before the end.
Mikel Arteta was hoping it was a fatigue-related issue but tests have shown the problem is more serious.
After last night’s 4-3 win over Luton, the boss said: “We had a scan, and it’s not good news. He’s got an injury in his calf, and he’s going to be out for a while.”
Understand Takehiro Tomiyasu set to for 4-6 weeks out with latest calf injury. Big blow for #AFC who have Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, White, Zinchenko and Cedric as their only senior fit defenders, with 6 games left to play this month alone.
Full story 👇https://t.co/k6RRZhC2vM
— Kaya Kaynak (@kayakaynak97) December 6, 2023
Arsenal have eight fixtures in the next six weeks, including Premier League and FA Cup encounters with Liverpool.
Losing Tomi, who has been in fine form recently and is set to be rewarded with a new deal, is a serious blow for the Gunners and means we’re heavily reliant on Ben White, who himself has just come back from an issue. Further down the pecking order are Cedric and youngster Reuell Walters.
You have to feel for Tomiyasu. For the second year running, he’s not just missing an important part of the domestic calendar but also racing against the clock to be fit for a major international tournament.
The full-back suffered an injury last November that hampered him at the Qatar World Cup and he’s now up against it ahead of Japan’s return to the Middle East for the Asia Cup.
Understandably, he’s frustrated. On Instagram, he wrote: “I’m sick of being injured but I believe this is the opportunity to be much stronger.”
We wish him all the best with his recovery.
What a great player and role model he is. He will be dearly missed during this period.
Raya as fullback. Rambo in goal. You heard it here first, folks.
Cedric will save the day!
Time to unleash Cedric.
No
Hang on, Blogs. Naked Cygan didn’t make it clear HOW to unleash Cedric. Obviously he didn’t mean as a player…
Loan him to a rival for the ol’ awkward bear hug in the shower photo ops.
S&M Cedric unleashed.
I was just joking but the PSV game he needs to start with a bunch of other folks who need minutes. We can’t afford to risk Ben White with Tomi out.
Time to unleash Cedric on a free transfer next month
Big blow!
There has to be a kid that we can play instead of Cedric. I don’t haye Cedric, I’d rather just (where we can) see if we can discover the next big thing.
Walters is the next prospect in that area of the pitch. I guess Kiwior will get some extra minutes too.
I also think Walters is a sort of hybrid fullback/centerback and so a better fit for what we expect from our fullbacks than someone like Cedric.
But, hard to trust a youngster when every point matters. Certainly, where we can meaningful rest/rotate without fear (final UCL group game for instance), it’d be great to give someone like Walters an opportunity to
Wasn’t Norton Cuffy the next best thing at right back ?
Don’t know if he’s on loan ?
Does anyone know if it’s possible to bring players back from loan when we nead them ?
He’s at Millwall for the season and doing ok.
Motherfucker!!! Can’t i just enjoy the win for a day.
Solid player but too injury-prone? Godspeed to him!
This is going to be downvoted to oblivion but Cedric gets way too much hate. He’s a full Portuguese international not an absolute chump. I’ve seen a lot worse play for us.
Certainly give him the PSV game. In fact that’s a dead rubber, I’d just go all ‘Matchday 6 Wenger’ and play a back four of Cedric, Walters, Kiwior, Sousa.
They’ll have Ramsdale behind them and Elneny and Jorginho ahead protecting them so it’ll be a decent learning experience for the couple of U21 lads.
Totally agree.
Time to unleash the Cedric!
No
Tomi nooooooooooooooo. Don’t rush coming back. We need you in Feb totally rehabilitated and ready to go. Your are crucial from then on for our Champions League and Premier League ambitions. We love you tomi, get well sooooooon bro
we’re entering Tierney injury record territory…
I think this is only his 3rd injury (one last year, this is #2 of this year). Last year’s was bad, he was out for awhile, but it isn’t as if it was a bunch of reoccuring injuries.
Availability and appearances is all that matters. 54 premier league appearances in 2 1/2 seasons. Now adding 6 weeks to that. We’re not far away from KT.
Yep he seems to be a crock can’t handle more than 5 games on the trot. Great shame but doesn’t help us if it happens continuously.
A lot of sports physicians think playing players out of their natural positions (right footed players on the left etc) fks with their bio-mechanics, they constantly have to compensate and that leads to more injuries.
example: bukayo saka
Oh dear! This guy is unlucky with injuries. Suddenly we are short on the right side of defence with games coming thick and fast. We are a White/Saliba injury away from a defensive crisis.
I’d rather have Nelson get a run at RB (at least he has recovery pace) than Cedric. Arteta is all about versatility so don’t see why a right winger can’t drop back and play right back (esp after you look at the job that Saka did at left back a few years ago at such a young age). He would certainly be able to join the attack well and has experience in the PL and can compete physically (something Cedric can’t do). My guess is they won’t bring Tomiyasu back until the Forest game on the 29th of January at… Read more »
Cedric: to unleash?
I guess it would almost be better if his injury extended into January – so that he doesn’t leave for the Asian Cup (I know, sad for him). But couple extra weeks of recovery could mean he’s back at Arsenal mid January then? Trying to find a bright spot? Help me out?
There’s no way he’ll play for Arsenal in mid January.
Japan have group stage games on the 14th, 19th, 24th.
I’ve read that he could be out until January 20th so could be that he misses the Asia Cup altogether?
Gutted. Hope we won’t be sorely missed when we play Good Ebening.
Sure Kai can go left full😂😂😂