EPL: Arsenal suffer huge blow with surgery confirmed for defender

Takehiro Tomiyasu has been ruled out for the rest of the season after the Arsenal defender required knee surgery.

The right-back picked up the injury when slipping awkwardly last week against Sporting, forcing him off after just nine minutes and he was later pictured leaving the Emirates Stadium in a brace and on crutches.

Mikel Arteta gave a downbeat assessment on Sunday when asked for an update, with the Arsenal boss admitting Tomiyasu was “really concerned” and it was “not looking good” for the defender.

That has now been confirmed, with Tomiyasu underdoing successful surgery on Tuesday and he will play no further part in the Gunners’ final 10 Premier League games of the season as they look to maintain their title charge.

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While Ben White has been first-choice at right-back this season, Tomiyasu has provided an important option as cover and an injury to William Saliba has further complicated the situation, though the Frenchman’s issue is not believed to be as serious.

Should Saliba be ruled out for any League matches, Arteta may opt to move White to centre-back rather than start Rob Holding or Jakub Kiwior, with Thomas Partey potentially shifting to right-back as he did late on in the win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.