Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu undergoes surgery, could miss the start of next season | OneFootball

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has undergone knee surgery and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

This is the second time Tomiyasu has required knee surgery since joining Arsenal from Bologna in 2021. He initially sustained the injury during pre-season, making only a six-minute appearance against Southampton in October before suffering a relapse.

Manager Mikel Arteta was optimistic last month about Tomiyasu’s potential return before the end of the season, but complications have led to the decision to proceed with surgery.

The Japanese international (with 42 caps) confirmed the news via Instagram. “I’ve had surgery on my knee a few days ago and have already started my rehab to do what I love the most again,” he wrote.

“It has been the toughest period in my career for sure, and it carries on a bit more, but I won’t give up. Thank you for your support, and see you again.”

Tomiyasu’s latest setback adds to Arsenal’s growing injury concerns, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, and Reiss Nelson (currently on loan at Fulham) also recently undergoing surgery. Ben White and Bukayo Saka also suffered injuries that ruled them out for three months or more.

Arsenal beat arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur to sign Tomiyasu for £20 million. He quickly became a reliable presence in Arteta’s defence.

However, injuries have plagued his time in North London. Since sustaining his first considerable setback (a calf injury in his debut season), he has missed 82 games for club and country.

Even when he gets back, he will likely need to leave on loan for playing time with the full-back positions stacked. The Gunners will then have to decide whether to offload or keep him as a back-up option.