Takehiro Tomiyasu injury: Arsenal reveal timeline for return after defender undergoes knee surgery | OneFootball

Tomiyasu will miss the rest of the season in major blow for Mikel Arteta

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery.

Tomiyasu has made just one appearance all season after coming off the bench against Southampton for the final six minutes of a 3-1 win.

Tomiyasu, who announced on Tuesday night he had gone under the knife, will not be back before the end of the season.

Tomiyasu being out has been a blow for Arsenal as the defender is versatile and able to play anywhere across the backline.

The 26-year-old excelled last season at left-back, but he has also featured regularly for Arsenal on the opposite flank, too.

Takehiro Tomiyasu’s only appearance this season came in the 3-1 win over Southampton back in October

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“He can play in any position in the backline, any formation in the backline — we don’t have a player like him.

“His defending is probably one of the best that I’ve seen in many situations. When Tomi is at his best, we’re going to have a player who is going to be so important for us.”

Arsenal say Tomiyasu’s recovery and rehabilitation programme, is “expected to be completed towards the end of this year.”

An Arsenal statement reads: "Takehiro Tomiyasu has undergone a successful surgery on the right knee issue which he first sustained in pre-season.

"Despite an initial surgical procedure in August, followed by a return to full training, and featuring as a substitute in our home Premier League match against Southampton in October, Tomi continued to have issues with his knee, resulting in a further corrective surgical procedure.

"Tomi will now begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, which is expected to be completed towards the end of this year."

When Tomi is at his best, we’re going to have a player who is going to be so important for us

Mikel Arteta

Arsenal have been hit especially hard by injuries in defence this season, but they have at least been boosted by the recent return of Ben White.

White underwent knee surgery in November, however he returned to the squad last week and was on the bench for Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Leicester.

Arsenal will look to gradually build up the 27-year-old’s minutes due to him being out of action for an extended period of time.