Arsenal announce bad news received ahead of final Premier League games

Arsenal have been dealt a major blow ahead of their final 10 Premier League games, as the club confirmed on their website  that Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the remainder of the season due to a significant injury to his right knee. The Japanese defender sustained the injury during Arsenal’s Europa League match against Sporting Lisbon last Thursday, and subsequent assessments revealed that he required surgery.

Tomiyasu had started in Arsenal’s game against Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates Stadium, but was forced to leave the pitch early due to his injury. The news of his extended absence is a major setback for Arsenal, who are currently leading the Premier League table with 69 points after 28 games. However, they are closely followed by second-placed Manchester City, who have 61 points and a game in hand.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 15: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal before the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The loss of Tomiyasu for the rest of the season means that Mikel Arteta only has Ben White as a right-back option. While White has played in that position all this season, him also getting injured would mean that Arsenal would be in big trouble.

Despite this setback, Arsenal will need to regroup quickly if they are to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League table. With just 10 games remaining in the season, every point will be crucial as they look to secure their first league title since 2004.

The loss of Tomiyasu also highlights the importance of having depth in key positions. While injuries are an unfortunate part of football, having quality backup options can help mitigate their impact on a team’s performance. It remains to be seen how Arteta will adjust his tactics and personnel following Tomiyasu’s injury, but it is clear that he will need to find a way to keep Arsenal competitive without one of their key players for the rest of the season.