Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has issued an injury update on a trio of first-team players in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Selhurst Park to take on high-flying Crystal Palace.
In the first of three updates, the Arsenal boss revealed that Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has missed almost two months of action with a thigh injury, ‘will be close’ to being fit enough for selection, which would hand the Gunners a massive boost.
‘I think he will be close. He’s been training more and more. He’ll be joining some sessions this week so let’s see how his injury is’, he told the press.
Cedric, whilst deputising ably, lacks many of the specific attributes that Arteta wants from his fullback, and which are embodied in the returning Japanese defender.
Arteta on Tomiyasu:
“I think he will be close. He’s been training more and more. He’ll be joining some sessions this week so let’s see how his injury is.”
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) March 31, 2022
Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsdale is a doubt for the trip to Selhurst Park, as he is yet to train after picking up a hip injury in his side’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool. The shot-stopper was forced to pull out of the England squad as a result, and is yet to return to Arsenal training sessions either, meaning that Bernd Leno may be afforded another opportunity in goal.
Arteta: “Bukayo is feeling good. He’s training today hopefully. Aaron is a doubt. He hasn’t trained yet.”https://t.co/PFZ9bXUbZN
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) March 31, 2022
Arsenal to continue good form?
Arsenal will be all too aware that Champions League qualification is well within their grasp, and will continue to be so should their good form continue.
However, Palace will be no pushovers, with an exciting young core that saw three of the south Londoners’ stars pick up England caps over the international break. Headed by former Arsenal great Patrick Vieira, a Monday night trip to a raucous Selhurst Park marks the kind of fixture that the Gunners traditionally struggle with.
Is this youthful side different? A win here could prove a giant step towards Champions League football returning to the Emirates stadium.
