Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu was absent from Japan’s opening game at the AFC Asian Cup, but he’s back in training on Monday morning.

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 09: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan lines up during the international friendly match between Germany and Japan at Volkswagen Arena on September 09, 2023 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan lines up during the international friendly match between Germany and Japan at Volkswagen Arena on September 09, 2023. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was a notable absentee from Japan’s opening-day Asian Cup win over Vietnam, with the 25-year-old not even making the bench for his national side.

But any fears of a new injury for Tomiyasu have been allayed by his presence in training with Japan on Monday morning.

In videos of Japan’s latest session, Tomiyasu can be seen taking part in shooting drills with his teammates, showing no ill effects.

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan reacts during the international friendly match between Germany and Japan at Volkswagen Arena on September 09, 2023. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan reacts during the international friendly match between Germany and Japan at Volkswagen Arena on September 09, 2023. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The Asian Cup allows teams to bring 26 players to the tournament, but only 23 can be named in any given matchday squad. As a result, there will always be a few players missing.

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As for why Tomiyasu was the player left out on this occasion, it seems the defender is still working on his full recovery from the injury he sustained with Arsenal.

Until the last couple of days, Tomiyasu hadn’t been involved in full training with Japan, instead taking on an individual workload while the main session went on without him.

That changed on Friday, when Tomiyasu joined full training for the first time. He was then also involved in full training on Saturday, and now on Monday as well.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal in action during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco at Emirates Stadium on August 02, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal in action during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco at Emirates Stadium on August 02, 2023. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Japan got a real test against Vietnam, but they ended up winning the match 4-2. It was a game they would have expected to win, as tournament favourites.

The side likely feel they can afford to be patient with Tomiyasu during the group stages, saving him for the tougher matches as the tournament progresses.

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