Arsenal issue further update on injured star and reveal he is set to be out until the end of the YEAR | OneFootball

Arsenal have issued an update on defender Takehiro Tomiyasu and say his recovery is not expected to be completed until the end of 2025.

The Japan international has now undergone further surgery on the knee issue which has kept him out for almost the entirety of this season.

He has made just one appearance for the Gunners this campaign, coming off the bench towards the end of his side’s win over Southampton in October.

But he has been out again since after experiencing more problems and is now not set to return until midway through next season.

“Takehiro Tomiyasu has undergone a successful surgery on the right knee issue which he first sustained in pre-season,” Arsenal said in a statement.

“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.”

Tomiyasu played 30 times for the Gunners in all competitions last season in what was another injury-hit campaign.

He joined Arsenal in 2021 from Bologna and quickly established himself as a first-team regular thanks to his versatility to play across the back line.

It comes as a further blow to boss Mikel Arteta, who is currently without several other key players including Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.

Havertz and Jesus are set to miss the rest of the season, with Havertz having sustained a hamstring injury while on Arsenal’s training camp in Dubai.

Jesus, meanwhile, suffered an ACL injury in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.

Arteta is hoping to welcome back Martinelli and Saka before the end of the campaign.