The Japan international will not return to action until next season (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu will not play again this season after sustaining a serious knee injury that required surgery on Tuesday.
A statement read: ‘Following his substitution during last Thursday’s Europa League match, subsequent assessments have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained a significant injury to his right knee.
‘Tomi has had successful surgery in London on Tuesday and will be ruled out for the remainder of this season.
‘Everyone at the club will now be working hard with Tomi, so he can join pre-season training ahead of next season.’
The Japan international picked up the injury during last week’s Europa League last-16 exit against Sporting Lisbon when he awkwardly slipped and was forced off the field after just nine minutes.
Tomiyasu was later seen in a brace and on crutches when he left the Emirates after the match and manager Mikel Arteta was downbeat when asked about the problem.
‘It’s not looking good, that’s for sure,’ said the Spaniard on Sunday after Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace – a match Tomiyasu missed.
‘Looking at Tomi, he’s not someone who exaggerates things. He was really concerned straight away, and we are concerned.’
Arsenal were right to be worried, with further assessments revealing that the 24-year-old required surgery and will now miss the rest of the Premier League run-in, with the north London club hoping to have him back in time for pre-season in the summer.
More to follow…
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Subsequent tests revealed he sustained a ‘significant injury’.