Mikel Arteta and Arsenal need Takehiro Tomiyasu now more than ever

Ben White's knee surgery has presented Takehiro Tomiyasu with a chance to potentially save his Arsenal career, but the Japanese international has the tricky task of merely staying fit while White is sidelined.

A likeable figure in the Arsenal dressing room, all things told, Tomiyasu initially brought stability and versatility to Mikel Arteta's project and the odd standout performance. He's previously been used in a specialist function by the Spaniard, who appreciates him greatly, but the defender's inability to shake off knee and calf injuries has ultimately seen his Arsenal career underwhelm.

Tomiyasu was a near-constant down the stretch last season in the absence of a reliable left-back, but a persistent knee issue has limited the former Bologna man to one appearance in 2024/25.

The Gunners, given their variety of options, have so far coped, but White's lengthy absence means Arteta will once again be relying on the injury-prone Japanese defender until the new year.

It's time for Takehiro Tomiyasu to step up in Ben White's absence

White, too, has been dealing with a knee injury which some have suggested has been bothering him for the best part of 18 months. It's certainly hindered the Englishman this term, with White's progressive passes and carries, expected assists, open-play crosses, final third touches, and byline touches all down considerably per 90 minutes compared to 2023/24 - per James Benge's X post.

His knee surgery is one that's required if we're to see White return to the levels we know he's capable of reaching. The defender's best performance this season arrived at centre-back against Liverpool - when he wasn't handed any attacking responsibility. While far from an elite one-v-one defender, White's appeared more sluggish than usual and has found it hard to find an extra burst to combat opponents or beat them at the other end of the pitch.

The cost of White's surgery is a potential three-month absence which could see him miss as many as 20 games across all competitions if the worst-case scenario plays out. Even if he returns sooner than expected, the right-back's not going to be playing again until the new year. As a result, he'll be missing Champions League games against Sporting CP and Monaco, the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace, as well as Premier League tussles with Nottingham Forest, Manchester United, Fulham, Brentford, Brighton, and probably Tottenham on 15 January.

The schedule has been unrelenting through three months of 2024/25, and it will NOT be easing up anytime soon. Arsenal have a midweek game every week up until Christmas, and Arteta will not want to rely on Jurrien Timber, still relatively fresh off an ACL tear up until then. The Dutchman has started every game he's been fit for in the Premier League and Champions League this season, with the defender already picking up a muscle injury in October as a result of his heavy workload.

Arteta needs an alternative senior option as much as Timber. He needs Tomiyasu to offer respite.

With Josh Nichols not yet ready for senior minutes and the best of Thomas Partey arriving at the base of midfield, Tomiyasu is going to earn his fair share of minutes while White is sidelined. I have no concerns over his ability to perform if fit, but it's staying injury-free that can't be guaranteed.

The defender's current deal in north London expires in 2026, and another injury setback will surely convince Arsenal to cut ties in 2025 while they can still garner a decent fee. In short, the next couple of months are going to define what's been an otherwise forgettable Gunners career for Tomiyasu. It's now or never for the 26-year-old.

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