Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has been dealt another injury blow after revealing Takehiro Tomiyasu will be sidelined for “a few weeks”.
The Japan international was absent from the starting XI for the goalless draw with Burnley at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Tomiyasu, a £16million summer signing from Bologna, has been an important member of the Gunners’ backline and has made 17 appearances in the Premier League this season.
But the 23-year-old looks set for a short spell out of action while he recovers from his injury, which Arteta did not elaborate on.
Arteta has been left with a depleted squad due to injuries to Calum Chambers, Cedric Soares and Bernd Leno, in addition to Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka’s suspensions.
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Mohamed Elneny and Nicolas Pepe have also been away on international duty playing for Egypt and Ivory Coast respectively at the Africa Cup of Nations.
And now, the Gunners boss looks set to be left without his first-choice right-back Tomiyasu after playing through the pain barrier against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup last week.
“Tomi had an injury and we didn’t have anybody to play in that position against Liverpool,” Arteta told reporters.
“He needs to recover and look after himself, to try and be available as quick as he can.
“He will be out for a few weeks.”
Losing another first-team regular has left Arteta down to the bare bones use and he was forced to deploy Ben White as a makeshift right-back after against Burnley.
Chambers and Cedric would typically be relied upon to deputise, but the pair have recently been ruled out of action in recent weeks.
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Chambers has been struggling with a neck problem, while Cedric picked up a hip injury during the 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool.
However, the Gunners boss will be relieved that Tomiyasu should be fit enough to return to training in time for their next Premier League clash.
Arteta and his squad have jetted out to Dubai for warm weather training during the Premier League’s scheduled winter break which may give him the chance to reset.
Arsenal are contending for a top-four finish after recovering from a poor start to the season, but the north London side are without a win in their last five matches in all competitions.
Their recent setback against relegation-threatened Burnley has allowed Manchester United to leapfrog them into fourth position in the Premier League after the Red Devils beat West Ham 1-0.
The Spaniard is hoping to add to his squad before the transfer deadline on January 31, with deals for Dusan Vlahovic and Arthur Melo reportedly in the pipeline.
But Arteta admits it will be difficult to get the deals over the line in time with a week to go until the winter transfer window closes.
"It was what we planned but the market is difficult and complicated,” he said.
"We knew that, but it's a lot to manage. We have to make the right decisions with players we believe are going to really help us and try to bring the ones that can take us to the next level.
"We are certainly trying, but whether we are going to be able to do it, let's see.”
