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Arsenal provide huge Takehiro Tomiyasu injury update
Arsenal fell to just their second defeat in 12 matches on Wednesday as Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners at the Emirates Stadium in a huge result for both sides.
The Reds ensured their Premier League title hopes remained firmly on track while the Gunners lost some ground in the top four race, albeit in expected circumstances.
Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino did the damage for the visitors, the first goal coming just two minutes after Martin Odegaard saw a glorious chance saved by Alisson, in a match that proved to be about fine margins.
One player who performed well on the night was Cedric, although the lasting memory of his display will be him going to sleep for both goals. He wasn’t alone in making errors in the match – those that seemed minor but were accentuated due to the ruthlessness of the opposition – yet it does leave supporters longing for the return of Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Arteta speaking now:
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) March 18, 2022
On Tomiyasu: "There is a chance, but we don’t know. We will see in training how he is feeling."
Arsenal provide huge Takehiro Tomiyasu injury update ahead of facing Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday
The Japan international has been out since the Premier League’s winter break with recurring calf problems, and while Cedric has filled in well during his absence there are qualities the 23-year-old possesses that he can’t replace.
Hoping for a return to the team against Aston Villa on Saturday, Mikel Arteta provided a huge update on his fitness.
"“There is a chance, but we don’t know,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “We will see in training how he is feeling.”"
Known for being cryptic when it comes to player availability, often leading listeners down the garden path, it remains to be seen how great this ‘chance’ is.
One thing that doesn’t help his hopes of inclusion is that Tomiyasu wasn’t selected in Japan’s upcoming squads for their international fixtures. They will have liaised with Arsenal staff over his fitness and probably were informed that he wouldn’t be able to play any part in them.
Next. Arsenal predicted lineup vs Aston Villa. dark
It still looks unlikely for Tomiyasu to be in the starting lineup, but a spot on the bench could be his if he trains well on the Friday before kick-off.