Takehiro Tomiyasu: Medical expert tips Arsenal formation change after ‘another blow’ confirmed
Arsenal could switch to a back three in response to Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury setback.
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Right-back Tomiyasu has been sidelined with a calf injury for the Gunners since the 2-0 League Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool on 20 January.
Per Football.London last Thursday (24 February), Mikel Arteta confirmed he had suffered an injury to his “other calf” after returning to training.
Arsenal have played predominantly with a back four this season, although they have at times reverted to the back three Arteta used in 2020-21.
Dinnery suggests that Tomiyasu’s setback could be the catalyst for Arteta to pivot once again to three at the back.
“It’s another blow but it’s not too serious,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“Let’s not forget, this is his first season in the Premier League and he has played a high amount of minutes.
“There were always going to be issues in terms of adaptation. He has been thrown in at the deep end.
“It’s difficult to give a definitive timeline. Just because a player is made available to the squad, that doesn’t mean he’s fully fit and ready.
“Conversely, you can have players who are away from the group who aren’t necessarily injured.
“Arteta won’t feel the need to throw him back in there unnecessarily. Cedric Soares isn’t the first pick but he could easily do a job there.
“But Arteta could very well switch to a back three as, given the lack of match fitness and sharpness, Tomiyasu will take time to build himself back up.”
Tomiyasu has supplied one assist in 17 Arsenal appearances this term.
Cedric Soares has played in place of the 23-year-old, a £19.8million summer signing from Bologna, during his absence.
In other news, Arsenal handed “huge” boost in bid to sign Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins.