Saturday, February 22, 2025

Arteta: Injured Tomiyasu facing a “very lonely process”

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal will do everything they can to support Takehiro Tomiyasu but he admits the player faces a tough mental challenge overcoming a knee surgery that is destined to sideline him for the rest of the year. 

The Japan international, 26, returned from the summer break looking to make a big impact on the team after previous calf and knee issues but immediately suffered an injury that required an operation.

While he returned to fitness to make a six-minute cameo in September’s 3-1 win over Southampton, a relapse forced him back into the treatment room and eventually led to a second surgery that he underwent in London last week. 

Ahead of Saturday’s game with West Ham, Arteta said: “He’s been trying everything that he possibly could to try to avoid it [a second surgery], we did that [decision] with the department but at some stage the knee wasn’t reacting as good and as rapidly as we needed it to and, between all parties, we decided the best thing to do was to to have that surgery again. 

“Unfortunately it’s going to keep him out for a long period again and it’s very sad because he’s a player that lives for the game he is really, really keen to play and be consistent. When he’s at at his level he’s an incredible player for us.”

Asked what the club can do to support Tomiyasu through this next period of rehabilitation, Arteta, who had long-term knee injuries during his own playing career, said: 

“That’s what we have to try, and we try to do and we are constantly trying to do but being a foreign person you don’t have your family here, no relatives, you are on your own and you are on the sidelines for many many months [it’s tough].

“Especially for him, his life is football, you know. When you understand what he does during the day, just as preparation for the next day and being in the best possible condition and when injuries are denying you that ability to play and fulfil the purpose that you have in your career it’s very, very tough. 

“He knows hopefully that we are all here, we have all been trying to help him, but it’s tough and he needs to go through that and a lot of moments, because I’ve been there, where it’s a very lonely process.”

In better news for the Gunners, another right-back, Ben White, is fit and available after recovering from knee surgery of his own. The England international hasn’t featured since mid-November but returned to Arteta’s squad for last weekend’s win over Leicester. 

“He’s ready to play, whether to start or not is a decision we’ll make tomorrow but he’s certainly available now to be part of the group,” said Arteta.

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Chris

Fingers crossed his knee is now fixed and, post rehab, he’ll be able to return to play – he deserves it.

UzesGooner

Can’t he rehab in Japan for 6 months?

A few Nuru’s will do him the world of good…..

Big Qahoorah

My thoughts exactly

PGunner

Get well soon, Tomi. Love you bro 👊🏼

A different George

As Blogs has said several times in his posts and in the podcasts, what has happened to Tomiyasu is incredibly difficult and potentially personally devastating. I hope that doesn’t happen and I hope that, as the club did with Santi, Arsenal make every effort to support him. On the better news: Timber has been very good and so we have almost forgotten how good Ben White is and how important to the way Arsenal’s right side functioned in attack. I think Ødegaard’s game has suffered from his absence (not a putdown of Timber–it’s just different qualities) almost as much as… Read more »

Rambo sambo

Huge to have Benny Blanco back for the run in!

Cranky Colin

A fit Tomi and we win the Quad

Get back soon Bro

wrightstuff8

Big love Tomi – can’t wait to see you back bro

BillyKrystal

Love you Tomi, hope he’s fit and firing for next season and he can represent his country at the WC.

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