Arsenal suffer fresh Tomiyasu blow ahead of Watford

Arsenal supporters found themselves tossing and turning in bed, unable to get a wink of sleep, while one Takehiro Tomiyasu remained on the sidelines.

How much you miss a player when they’re going tells you a lot about their importance. There were sleepless nights hoping for the right-back to return from injury.

Expected to do so against Wolves in midweek, when the teamsheet came out it first appeared as if Cedric had been chosen over him, only for another look to show he wasn’t even in the squad.

In the end it didn’t prove detrimental, although Cedric’s defensive positioning once again came into question, as the backup defender did enough on the night as Arsenal clinched three of the most valuable points they’ll secure all season long.

Arsenal suffer Takehiro Tomiyasu injury blow ahead of Watford as defender misses comeback win over Wolves in the Premier League

But where is Tomiyasu?

Speaking after the match, Mikel Arteta confirmed some unwanted news.

"“Yes [his absence was injury related], it was the other calf,” he told the club’s official website. “So he came back and he was completely fine, and in training he felt the other calf.“So this in an issue because he’s a professional, who is giving absolutely everything to help us, and in the last few months he’s not been fit. “"

What will play in his and Arsenal’s favour on this occasion is the length of time between Premier League matches. Having beaten Wolves on Thursday, the Gunners have yet another weekend off as Liverpool take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.

Instead the side will have to wait until March 6 for their next game, when the make the short trip to Vicarage Road to take on Watford, by which time it’s hoped that Tomiyasu can return from injury.

It may just be coincidence, though. With two calf injuries right after each other, fingers will be crossed that the latter isn’t as serious as the former, which has ruled him out of action since the 0-0 draw with Burnley on January 23.

For now Arsenal won’t feel too uneasy. Cedric has shown excellent professionalism since coming back into the team, that which has never been a critique of him, but he’s brought genuine quality to the fold to match that commitment. Playing Wolves twice in two weeks and winning both matches requires a collective effort, that which he more than played his part in.

When back, however, it’s Tomiyasu’s seat to reclaim.