Mikel Arteta described Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury situation as ‘very sad’, with the Japanese full-back set for another extended spell on the sidelines after he completed a second surgery last week.
The 26-year-old joined Arsenal from Serie A side Bologna in a deal worth up to £17 million. He hit the ground running and solidified his spot in the starting lineup, but consistent injury struggles has seen him lose his space and more full-back options brought into the club.
Tomiyasu has missed 97 games with knee, calf and muscular injuries since joining the Gunners, meaning he has spent over 22 months dealing with separate issues.
The Japanese international’s most recent problems have come in the knee area, with the 26-year-old appearing for six minutes in Arsenal’s 3-1 win against Southampton in September, but again being forced off with a similar issue.
Arteta described Tomiyasu’s desire to play and fight for the right-back role that he initially excelled in when he joined the club, but has since been taken over by Ben White and now Jurrien Timber.
“He’s been trying everything that he possibly could to try to avoid it [surgery], we did that with the department but at some stage, the knee wasn’t reacting as good and as rapidly as we needed it to and, between all parties, we decided the best thing to do was to to have that surgery again,” Arteta explained.
“Unfortunately it’s going to keep him out for a long period again and it’s very sad because he’s a player that lives for the game he is really, really keen to play and be consistent. When he's at his level he’s an incredible player for us.”
The Arsenal manager also spoke about how he and the staff can help Tomiyasu while he remains sidelined, given the mental toll that it takes to return from a long-term injury and then face another one so quickly after.
“That’s what we have to try, and we try to do and we are constantly trying to do but being a foreign person you don’t have your family here, no relatives, you are on your own and you are on the sidelines for many, many months.
“Especially for him, his life is football, you know. When you understand what he does during the day, just as preparation for the next day and being in the best possible condition and when injuries are denying you that ability to play and fulfil the purpose that you have in your career it’s very, very tough.
“He knows hopefully that we are all here, we have all been trying to help him, but it’s tough and he needs to go through that and a lot of moments, because I’ve been there, where it’s a very lonely process.”
Arsenal welcome West Ham to the Emirates Stadium tomorrow afternoon. Despite the list of injuries up front, the Gunners have an array of options at full-back with the return of Ben White last week.
