TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU is battling to play again in 2025 as his Arsenal injury hell continues, admitting: “It has been the toughest period of my career”.
The Japanese defender has been ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery this week in the hope of finally correcting an issue that has troubled him since last summer.
Instagram @tomiyasu.tTakehiro Tomiyasu has suffered with a knee injury[/caption]
GettyTomiyasu has made just one appearance this season[/caption]
And it leaves Gunners boss Mikel Arteta with yet another body in the medical room, following blows to the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
After an initial procedure in August during pre-season, Tomiyasu, 26, completed his rehab and made a six-minute Prem cameo off the bench against Southampton in October.
But he has failed to make a single appearance since, his last start coming on the final day of last season in a 2-1 victory over Everton on May 19, in which he scored and played the whole game.
With Arsenal confirming in a statement the player’s current rehab programme is “expected to be completed towards the end of this year”, it could now be over 12 months between his next appearance and his last.
The club believe this is the best approach to take with Tomiyasu, opting to prioritise his long-term health and fitness over rushing him back this term.
In an Instagram post, Tomiyasu said: “I’ve had a surgery on my knee few days ago and I’ve already started my rehab to do what I love the most again.
“It has been the toughest period in my career for sure and it carries on a bit more but I won’t give up. Thank you for your support and see you again.”
Since Tomiyasu signed from Bologna for around £16m in August 2021, he has made just 50 starts in all competitions, and just 17 Prem starts since the 2022/23 campaign.
He has suffered SEVEN separate injuries in that time to his calf and knee.
Despite this, the versatile full-back has always been highly valued by Arteta, with his contract expiring in June 2026 with the option to extend by a further 12 months.
However, there was previously talk of Tomiyasu being sold this summer to raise funds, especially with the rise of full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, but those plans will have to be shelved for now.
It was a similar story with Jesus. The Brazilian striker ruptured his ACL last month and is fighting to play again before 2026. His future in North London was also being considered before the injury.
Tomiyasu is the FIFTH Arsenal play to go under the knife this term. Right back Ben White – who is now back fit – had a minor knee operation in November.
Alongside Jesus’ procedure, Saka had hamstring surgery in December and is racing to be back before the end of March. Havertz also required hamstring surgery last week and is out for the season.
Fortunately for Arteta, he has options at full-back with White, Lewis-Skelly, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney to choose from.
GettyTomiyasu has been forced to watch from the sidelines this term[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
