Takehiro Tomiyasu return date target emerges in Arsenal injury update ahead of Porto

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Takehiro Tomiyasu is one of a number of Arsenal first-team stars currently working his way back to full fitness.

Arsenal currently have Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Martinelli, and Jurrien Timber sidelined with injury. 

Mikel Arteta has been able to welcome a number of players back into the fold at the Emirates Stadium in the last couple of weeks, as Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Thomas Partey have returned from injury. 

However, Martinelli picked up a knock against Sheffield United recently. Arteta confirmed after that match that the Brazilian attacker had suffered a gash on his foot, and he did not make the match-day squad against Brentford. After the Gunners beat the Bees, Martinelli was spotted using crutches. It seems unlikely that the 22-year-old will be able to play any part against Porto on Tuesday evening.

Timber won’t be ready to feature in the second-leg of the Gunners’ Champions League round of 16 clash, either.  The Dutchman sustained a serious knee injury on the opening weekend of the Premier League season, after impressing in pre-season. There is now a timeline on Timber’s return, and fans of the north London club will be hoping to see him take to the field for the first-team again before the end of the campaign.

Arsenal set sights on Takehiro Tomiyasu return

Tomiyasu has not played for Arsenal since before he departed to compete in the Asia Cup. He was last seen in action in red and white in the defeat against Fulham on New Years’ Eve. Persistent injuries have been an issue for the versatile Japanese defender since his arrival at the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2021. Some Arsenal fans are keen for the club to hold off on offering Tomiyasu a new contract until he has proven that remain fit for an extended period.

The 25-year-old should be back in action soon enough, though. According to The Standard, the Gunners are expecting him to available for selection again around the end of March, or in early April. This means that Tomiyasu could well be fit enough to feature in the crucial Premier League clash with Manchester City on March 31st. However, it also means that Tomiyasu is another who won’t be able to play a part against Porto.

Arteta will pick the strongest starting XI he possibly can to take on the Portuguese outfit. The Gunners are going into this match already 1-0 down on aggregate, so there is no margin for error and they will need to be at their very best to secure passage to the Champions League quarter finals.