Arsenal were hoping to get Takehiro Tomiyasu fully fit before the end of the international break, and it seems as if the defender is close.

Before the international break, the Evening Standard reported that Arsenal were hoping Takehiro Tomiyasu will return to full fitness over the international break, after his recent struggles with a calf injury.

After talks with Japan, it was agreed that Tomiyasu would stay with Arsenal over the break, and he’s aiming to use that time to get fully fit.

Speaking to the press ahead of their next game, Mikel Arteta said, “I think he will be close.

“He’s been training more and more.

“He’ll be joining some sessions this week so let’s see how his injury is.”

Arteta also said, “He had a recurring injury but in the other calf, which was strange and difficult to predict.

“He’s been through a lot in the last 2 years with the amount of games he’s played and COVID. Hopefully, we can find the reason, so it doesn’t happen again”

Arsenal are next in action against Crystal Palace on Monday, April 4th at 20:00 BST.

Mikel Arteta has previously admitted that Arsenal are being particularly careful with Tomiyasu right now.

“He had a recurring injury around the same place (as before),” Arteta said before Arsenal’s game against Aston Villa.

“After that, you have to be very cautious.”

Japan had some pivotal World Cup qualifiers this month that the defender had to miss, particularly the opening game against Australia.

Thankfully, they won that game 2-1, ensuring they finished above the Aussies and qualified for the World Cup.

Tomiyasu was on a run of five straight starts for Japan before his injury problems this year, playing at centre-back and keeping three clean sheets in those five games.

But Arsenal, Tomiyasu, and Japan decided that it wasn’t worth the risk to his fitness to include him this time.