(Football news) Arsenal are dealt with a setback as defender Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the rest of the season after they announced that they he will have surgery for a knee injury. The Japanese right-back Tomiyasu came off just after nine minutes into Arsenal’s Europa League round-of-16 match with Sporting CP after he slipped awkwardly when he attempted a challenge and hurt his knee.

Arteta said at the time that they were immediately concerned for the 24-year-old Japan international. Arsenal were knocked out of the Europa League in a penalty shootout but they are still top of the Premier League with an eight-point lead over Manchester City, who still have a game in hand. The Gunners also lost defender William Saliba to a back injury in the same game, as he opted out of the France squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Tomiyasu’s absence will be a big problem for Mikel Arteta. Although he’s not a first choice right-back, the Japanese international has been a constant cover at left-back and right-back – this season. Ben White’s emergence as one of the Premier League best performers this season has meant that Tomiyasu has been playing second fiddle to the England international. With Cedric Soares on loan at Fulham, Arsenal have only one natural right-back available. With ten games remaining, it would be understandable for supporters to be tempted to press the panic button. 

Tomiyasu joins a huge list of injuries as the likes of Eddie Nketiah, William Saliba and Mohamed Elneny are all long term absentees. The Gunners boss showcased his creativity and thinking by placing defensive midfielder Thomas Partey at right-back. The Ghana international is one of the league’s best CDM as his tall, athletic frame makes him a natural at intercepting passes and shrugging opposition off the ball. 

However, he has played 11 games at right-back for Atletico Madrid where he kept eight clean sheets as well. Partey’s versatility to switch to a more defensive role would allow for White to fill-in for Saliba at centre-back as fortunately for the Gunners, Jorginho is capable of filling in for Partey in the defensive midfielder role as well

“Following his substitution during last Thursday’s Europa League match, subsequent assessments have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained a significant injury to his right knee,” Arsenal said in a statement. “Tomi has had successful surgery in London on Tuesday and will be ruled out for the remainder of this season

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