Takehiro Tomiyasu faces an injury blow. Takehiro Tomiyasu suffered a knee injury in the 1-1 tie with Sporting CP on March 16 that will keep him out of action for the rest of the season, according to Arsenal.
Due to a leg problem, the Japan international was replaced in the ninth minute of play. Arsenal lost to the Portuguese team in the UEFA Europa League last 16 ties on penalties after drawing the first match 2-2 in Lisbon.
The versatile back underwent surgery and will now be sidelined for the remainder of the season. The team verified in a statement: “Subsequent evaluations have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained a significant injury to his right knee following his substitution during last Thursday’s Europa League match. Tomi had a successful operation on Tuesday in London and won’t be available for the rest of the campaign. Tomi will now be working diligently with everyone at the club so he can begin pre-season practice before the upcoming season.”
Right-back Ben White, who took Tomiyasu’s position against the Leoes in the second leg, maybe Mikel Arteta’s top choice. Nevertheless, as shown by his 32 starts this season across all competitions, the former Bologna defender has been essential for the Gunners.
Reuell Walters may play a bigger part as a result. On March 19, Arsenal defeated Crystal Palace 4-1 in the Premier League. The 18-year-old was not used as a replacement. Although Walters and Tomiyasu can both play anywhere on the backline, they haven’t yet competed at the top level.
In the second match of the penalty shootout between Arsenal and Sporting CP in the Europa League round of 16, Gabriel Martinell was the only player to miss his spot-kick.
The Brazilian winger’s spot attempt was saved by goalkeeper Antonio Adan diving to his left. For the Gunners, it meant another season without a European championship.
The disappointment of the Europa League relegation would, however, be lessened if the team won the Premier League for the first time in 19 years. Following their victory over the Eagles at the weekend, Arsenal increased their margin of victory over the competition to eight points after 28 games.
Second-placed However, Manchester City still has a contest remaining. Martinelli said (h/t @ChrisWheatley) after his team’s 4-1 victory at the Emirates, where he scored the game’s first goal in the 28th minute: “It’s life, it occurs. Not every game will you score a goal and not every game will you perform well. That punishment was on my mind all night, but it’s done now. We played a fantastic game today, and I scored.”
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