Mikel Arteta is hoping to welcome back several key players from injury ahead of the run-in (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal are hopeful Takehiro Tomiyasu will have recovered from his latest injury setback to take part in Monday’s night’s Premier League match against Sheffield United.
The Gunners have made a sensational start to 2024, roaring back into title-winning contention on the back of six consecutive victories, culminating in last weekend’s 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle.
Arsenal’s recent domestic form has been rendered all the more impressive given the threadbare nature of Mikel Arteta’s squad which has been missing a number of key players.
The absence of Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko has meat that Arsenal have been particularly stretched in the full-back positions with Ben White and the improving Jakub Kiwior Arteta’s only viable options over the course of the last month.
Tomiyasu’s last appearance for Arsenal came on New Year’s Eve in a surprise defeat at Fulham and hasn’t featured for his club since, despite making four appearances for Japan at the Asia Cup.
According to Mail Sport, however, the 25-year-old is in contention to feature at Bramall Lane on Monday night against the struggling Blades.
Takehiro Tomiyasu made four appearances for Japan at the recent Asia Cup (Picture: Getty)
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s last Arsenal appearance came against Fulham on New Year’s Eve (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal also hope to have Thomas Partey and the aforementioned Zinchenko to call upon as well and with Fabio Vieira also having returned to full fitness in the last fortnight, Arsenal suddenly appear to have greater strength in-depth than they have at any point in the campaign.
Arteta even confirmed last week that summer signing Jurrien Timber, who suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury on the opening day of the season, is also nearing being in contention to make his own eagerly anticipated comeback.
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Asked if Timber could return before the end of the season, Arteta said on Friday: ‘I really hope so.
‘He’s doing really well. He’s been with some players on the pitch. He’s going to start to do some bits with us on the pitch in the next week or so.
‘Then we’ll have to see how he’s doing, his confidence level, his fitness level. Hopefully the answer will be yes.’
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