Mikel Arteta confirms defender is a 'few weeks' away from injury return

Arsenal are set to enter the 2024/25 season without Takehiro Tomiyasu as Mikel Arteta confirmed the defender is still a "few weeks" away from his injury return.

The Gunners begin the new season at home to Wolves on Saturday having wrapped up pre-season with back-to-back wins at the Emirates. After thumping Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 on Wednesday, Arsenal eased past Lyon 2-0 in Sunday's Emirates Cup clash. Set-piece goals from William Saliba and Gabriel set Arteta's men on their way.

The Emirates faithful was also treated to Riccardo Calafiori's debut in Arsenal colours. The summer arrival appeared for the first time midway through the second half after he was left out of the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in Philadelphia and win over Leverkusen.

His addition combined with Oleksandr Zinchenko's impressive form means Arsenal are well-positioned to mitigate for Tomiyasu's absence at the start of 2024/25.

Takehiro Tomiyasu to miss start of 2024/25 season through injury

Tomiyasu has endured his fair share of injury woes since joining the club from Bologna in 2021. The Japanese international was a instant hit in north London, but his frequent absences have prevented him from building any sort of rhythm.

The 25-year-old missed a chunk of last season due to a calf problem before returning towards the end of the campaign and featuring regularly down the stretch. The defender would've hoped to have put his injury woes behind him heading into the new season, but Tomiyasu, who's nursing a knee injury, faces another frustrating period on the sidelines having already missed the club's summer tour to the USA.

“I think it will take weeks on that one, unfortunately, and poor Tomi because of everything that he does,” Arteta said after the Lyon win.

“But he’s going to have to be patient and work through it because I think it’s going to take a few weeks.”

The Japanese star is currently out of action alongside Kieran Tierney, who sustained a nasty knee injury at Euro 2024. Arsenal had hoped to sell the Scotsman this summer, but the left-back's setback killed any possibility of moving him on.

With Tomiyasu absent, the signs are pointing towards Zinchenko starting next week's Premier League opener at left-back. Arteta will not want to throw Calafiori into the lion's den just yet, while Jurrien Timber has been dealing with a foot problem that won't see him miss Saturday's game.

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