Arsenal are back in Premier League action against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road in the first meeting between the two clubs across any competition since 1991.
Will Takehiro Tomiyasu be passed fit for Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Luton Town? That’s the question many supporters are asking ahead of the game and the answer will be revealed shortly.
When speaking in the pre-match press conference, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta said a decision on the Japan international would be taken on the day of the clash after confirming the defender was still being assessed following his substitution in the 2-1 win over Luton Town at the weekend.
“We assessed him after the game. and took him out for precaution,” the Spanish tactician told reporters at London Colney on Monday afternoon. “We will wait. Whether it’s useful to use him we’ll decide tomorrow. He’s a strong boy hopefully he’ll be fine.”
Tomiyasu is still unfit to play Arsenal match against Luton
Even if Tomiyasu is available for selection, it’s worth pointing out Arsenal have trips to Villa Park and Anfield on the horizon as well as a home game against Brighton & Hove Albion so that means Arteta has a big decision to make concerning the starting line-up he selects at Kenilworth Road.
Now if it’s decided that the 25-year-old should not be risked against the Hatters then Ben White,
Who missed the win over Burnley before last month’s international break because of injury but has since made three successive appearances as a substitute, is the obvious choice to slot in at right-back
“After the injury and the way we managed his load,”
Arteta added when asked if the Gunners’ No.4 was a potential replacement for Tomiyasu. “He’s feeling perfect, back to fitness, and he played some minutes. He’s in a good place.”
If all goes well, Tomiyasu gets the all-clear and whether he starts or not against Luton,
Arteta will have the luxury of naming an unchanged matchday squad for the third successive Premier League fixture. However, if the versatile defender doesn’t make the trip then there will be a slight issue.
Already without Fabio Vieira, Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe because of injury,
Another absentee would leave Arsenal in a position where they have 17 senior outfield players available for selection.
