Takehiro Tomiyasu’s participation in pre-season with Arsenal is in doubt, with the defender possibly out of action for longer than originally expected.

DOHA, QATAR: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Germany and Japan at Khalifa International Stadium on November 23, 2022. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
DOHA, QATAR: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Germany and Japan at Khalifa International Stadium on November 23, 2022. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Takehiro Tomiyasu suffered a significant right knee injury during Arsenal’s match against Sporting CP back in March. He underwent surgery on the problem on March 21st and was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the season.

At the time, Arsenal wrote that everyone would be working hard with Tomiyasu so he can join pre-season training in the summer.

But in a press conference this month, Mikel Arteta suggested the timeline could be longer than initially believed.

Reflecting on Arsenal’s injuries this season, Arteta listed the length of absences for a number of players, before adding: “Tomiyasu for three and a half months, maybe now six months. This is football.”

The Evening Standard report that Arsenal’s optimistic prognosis is that he’ll be ready to play at least some part in pre-season, but if that six-month absence is confirmed, he’d be out until late September.

Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Arsenal should be able to cover for Tomiyasu, with William Saliba expected to return for pre-season and talk of another defensive signing this summer.

But it’s always a shame not to have a fully fresh squad going into pre-season, so hopefully, there’s some better news on Tomiyasu’s fitness in the coming weeks.