Mikel Arteta hit with Injury blow

Arsenal have suffered a significant blow to their defensive lineup as the club has confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the rest of the season for the Mikel Arteta side  due to a “significant injury” sustained during the Europa League match against Sporting Lisbon last week.

The 24-year-old was seen limping off the field and later wearing a brace and using crutches, forcing him to miss Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

In a statement, the club confirmed that Tomiyasu had successful surgery on his right knee in London on Tuesday and will now be ruled out for the remainder of the season. The statement added that everyone at the club will be working hard with Tomiyasu to ensure he is ready to join pre-season training ahead of next season.

The loss of Tomiyasu is a major blow to Arsenal’s defensive line, with William Saliba also currently sidelined with a back injury. The 21-year-old had to withdraw from the France squad following a knock during the Sporting Lisbon match, and French news outlet L’Equipe has claimed that he will be absent for “several weeks”.

This leaves Rob Holding and Ben White as the club’s only fit senior right-sided centre-backs, although White is currently playing at right-back.

The absence of two key defenders puts Arsenal’s backline under significant strain as they enter the final ten games of the Premier League season. The Gunners are still in the hunt for a European spot and have an upcoming quarter-final clash against Slavia Prague in the Europa League.

Manager Mikel Arteta will need to find a way to address the defensive issues and ensure his team remains competitive in both competitions. The club has already faced numerous injury setbacks this season, with several key players missing extended periods of time.

The news of Tomiyasu’s injury will undoubtedly be a concern for Arsenal fans, who will be hoping that the team can overcome this setback and end the season on a high note.