Mikel Arteta is hopeful that the problem that forced Takehiro Tomiyasu from the pitch against Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday is nothing too serious.

Takehiro Tomiyasu went off against Leeds after 64 minutes with what appeared to be a calf problem.

Speaking after the game, Arteta was asked about the issue. While the manager didn’t have much information, he was hopeful the problem isn’t anything too serious.

Asked about an injury, Arteta replied, “No, it was more of a muscular injury.

“He’s got a big load on him because he’s played every single minute since he’s joined us and even this week he’s been struggling a little bit.

“We decided to take him off, he wasn’t 100 per cent confident to continue in the game, and hopefully he’s not injured.”

The 23-year-old has played 1,296 minutes for Arsenal since his arrival in the summer from Bologna for £16.74m (when he was actually valued at £18m).

So far this season, he had missed just 28 minutes of league football until Saturday’s game, playing the full 90 of every Premier League match he’s been involved in except the ones against Norwich and, now, Leeds.