Arsenal will be deprived of defender Takehiro Tomiyasu for the rest of the 2024/25 season after the Japan international underwent a second operation on his knee.
Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on his knee.
Tomiyasu has played just six minutes of football in the 2024/25 campaign, with a knee injury sustained in pre-season derailing things. He recovered sufficiently to make a brief substitute appearance against Southampton in October before being sidelined once again.
“It has been the toughest period in my career for sure and it carries on a bit more but I won’t give up. Thank you for your support and see you again.” Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko were among his Arsenal team-mates to send their best wishes.
Arsenal have been hindered by injuries this season, with Tomiyasu’s injury problems compounded by Ben White ’s absence at right-back. The surgery for the 26-year-old comes soon after Kai Havertz was ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury which required surgery.
Arteta is also currently without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli in attack. The injuries have impacted the Gunners’ attempts to reel in Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. They are currently nine points behind in second place ahead of Saturday’s match against West Ham.
Tomiyasu joined Arsenal from Bologna in 2021, and while he’s made some important contributions across the backline, his career with the club has been hindered by injuries. The Japan international has made 84 appearances for the Gunners, yet has missed 82 matches through injuries, according to Transfermarkt.