Arsenal will be without Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu for their pre-season tour in the USA because of a knee injury.
This news comes after Arsenal got their pre-season campaign off to a winning start with a 2-0 victory over Leyton Orient on Friday, July 19.
Despite this early success, manager Mikel Arteta will have to make do without the Japanese defender, who adds to the list of absentees that includes Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka, David Raya, and William Saliba.
While the other players are missing out due to their participation in international tournaments, such as Euro 2024 and Copa America, Tomiyasu’s absence is due to a knee injury as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
Arsenal also announced that defender Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the club’s upcoming pre-season tour of the United States due to a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Keiran Tierney is also recovering from the hamstring problem that ended his Euros earlier this summer and has not been included in the Gunners squad.
In Arsenal’s statement confirming their squad, an update read: “Kieran Tierney (hamstring) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) will remain in London to receive treatment from our medical staff at Sobha Realty Training Centre.”
In the 2023/24 season, the 25-year-old Japanese star made 30 appearances for Arsenal but struggled with a recurring calf injury. Due to this injury, he often had to play as a left-back in Arteta’s rotation system.
Despite his injury woes, the player shone in Arsenal’s final game of the season against Everton, where he scored in the 2-1 victory. Additionally, he represented Japan in a World Cup qualification match against Syria, helping his team to a 5-0 win.
However, it was revealed that Takehiro Tomiyasu had picked up the knee injury during the first week of pre-season training at London Colney.
The nature of Takehiro Tomiyasu’s current injury woes
Arsenal have not stated what the problem is with Tomiyasu’s knee nor how long they expect him to be out of action.
As it stands, the Japanese international will remain in London to undergo treatment at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Tomiyasu injury history
Tomiyasu has been plagued with injuries since joining Arsenal from Bologna in 2021, with this latest setback only adding to his troubled tenure at the club.
He has suffered from various calf injuries and underwent knee surgery, keeping him out of action for over three months.
Meanwhile, the report has it that Gunners are working on a replacement for Tomiyasu.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is looking forward to signing Riccardo Calafiori to potentially fill the void in upcoming friendlies.
What fans are saying about Tomiyasu’s injury
Arsenal fans have expressed their frustration over the news of Tomiyasu’s recent injury.
Commenting under Romano’s tweet, one said: “Tomiyasu injured again”
The second wrote: “Injured before the seasons even started….”
Another fan said: “Oh ffs im tired. Be ready for the season to start or piss off man”
One of the commenters emphasized on the reason Arsenal need to buy more defenders as two are already injured before the start of the season.
He expressed: “Lmfaoo ppl ask why we’re buying another defender, we have 3 LBs, two are already injured before the season has started.”
Takehiro Tomiyasu future at Arsenal
Tomiyasu joined Premier League side Arsenal on a four-year deal in 2021 before extending his contract until 2026.
However, the Gunners are contemplating the possibility of recruiting Riccardo Calafiori as his potential successor, raising doubts about the club’s commitment to the player due to his history of injuries.
Takehiro Tomiyasu contract
His contract was extended with Arsenal on 20 March 2024 until 2026, after he initially joined the Premier League side on 31 August 2021 with a four-year deal, which included an option for a fifth year. The transfer fee was reported in different amounts, ranging from £15.5 million to £17 million.
His salary
The 25-year-old earns an annual salary of £5,200,000 equivalent to £100,000 per week, not including bonuses.
Arsenal’s pre-season tour
Arsenal’s US tour itinerary includes matches against Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Liverpool.
The first game is scheduled for July 24 against Bournemouth at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles.
