Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has urged Takehiro Tomiyasu to be "patient" as the injury-plagued defender prepares to miss a few weeks with a knee problem.
The former Bologna man's three years at the Emirates have been plagued by a series of fitness woes, although he has proven his worth to Arteta when fully fit since joining in 2021.
Thanks to his versatility, defensive prowess and demeanour, Tomiyasu quickly became a fan favourite in North London and was often Arteta's first-choice left-back in the 2023-24 campaign.
However, the Japan international has not been seen in pre-season due to a knee injury, and he was again absent from Sunday's 2-0 victory over Lyon in the Emirates Cup.
Speaking to the media after the contest, Arteta was unable to offer any positive updates on Tomiyasu's condition, admitting that the 25-year-old is not expected to return for another few weeks.
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Arteta provides Tomiyasu, Jurrien Timber updates
"Yeah, I think it will take weeks on that one unfortunately. He's going to have to be patient and work through it because I think it's going to take a few weeks," Arteta said.
Tomiyasu was one of two versatile defenders to sit out the showdown against Lyon, the other being Jurrien Timber, who spent most of the 2023-24 campaign on the road to recovery from his devastating ACL injury.
The Dutchman has since picked up a minor foot problem, believed to be related to his ongoing recovery process, and Arteta is hopeful that Timber will be ready for the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
"It's fine. He's been doing some individual work, that's clear now. So we expect him to be ready to train with the group in the next week, because he has no reaction. So quite positive," the Gunners boss added.
With Timber and Tomiyasu both sidelined, the door was opened for Riccardo Calafiori to make his Arsenal debut on Sunday, where he came off the bench just past the hour mark and replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back.
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Arteta 'loved' fan reaction to Calafiori introduction
Calafiori - who switched to a central position in the dying embers - was given a rousing reception by the Emirates faithful and was aggressive and front-footed during his first 30 minutes in a Gunners shirt, stepping in on a couple of occasions to win possession back.
Arteta could not speak highly enough of the fans' reaction to Calafiori's introduction, and he believes that such adoration from supporters would go a long way to convincing other players to join the club.
"I just love it. When the supporters react like that to one of our own it's great. The way you feel it straight away, it's love, he's respected and they're right behind you. That's an unbelievable platform for many players to join our club," Arteta said.
"He brings a lot of versatility, because he can play in two or three different positions and especially in attack, he can occupy different spaces because he's a real defender. When you see his presence, his physicality, how he goes to the duels, he's unbelievable. Obviously, he's done a lot last year and I think he's a player that can improve us."
Arsenal now have five days to recuperate from their Emirates Cup success before welcoming Wolverhampton Wanderers to North London in their opening bout of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
Ben Knapton
