Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu’s long-term fitness is of growing concern with the prospect of a second knee operation explored by the club.
The Japan defender has played just six minutes of football this season, coming on as a late substitute in the Premier League win over Southampton in October, following a three month recovery from an knee injury that saw him miss the start of the season.
But he has not featured since that win over the Saints after suffering an injury setback and Mail Sport understands there are emerging fears over Tomiyasu’s troublesome knee with doctors believed to have considered sending their versatile defender for an operation in an effort to cure the issue.
A procedure would require a lengthy rehabilitation programme and likely rule Tomiyasu out for a significant period of time.
In 2023, Tomiyasu underwent an original knee operation which kept the 26-year-old out of action for three months.
With that in mind, a second knee procedure would arrive as a blow to Tomiyasu, whose time at Arsenal has already been beset by injury issues.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (second top left) could be set to undergo a second knee operation
Mikel Arteta would likely lose the versatile defender for a lengthy period if he has the operation
Tomiyasu has played just six minutes of football for Arsenal this season
Speaking last month head coach Mikel Arteta provided a positive update on Tomiyasu’s fitness saying: ‘Tomi has done some stuff on the pitch, but now because it’s been a long-term injury, we need to see how quickly he can progress and how he reacts.’
But there is now some pessimism regarding Tomiyasu’s recovery, news amplified by talks over a potential operation.
Tomiyasu’s contract has 18 months left to run, but with Arsenal well-stocked at the back the defender may listen to offers for him at the end of the season.
However, any plans to sell Tomiyasu, who did not travel to Dubai on the club’’s mid-winter trip, may have to be shelved if he goes under the knife.
The imminent return to fitness of Ben White will help to soften the blow of Tomiyasu’s ongoing unavailability.
White, who himself underwent knee surgery in November, is set to return and could be named in the squad to face Leicester this weekend.
