Arsenal will host Everton on the final day of the 2021/22 Premier League season knowing Champions League qualification is out of their hands – but Mikel Arteta could be without Takehiro Tomiyasu as he looks to beat the odds.
The right-back has struggled with injury this season and only made a comeback in recent weeks before leaving the pitch prematurely in their last game.
With a huge deficit in goal difference, Arsenal need to beat Everton and rely on already-relegated Norwich City beating Tottenham Hotspur who currently occupy that coveted fourth spot in the Premier League table.
Will Arsenal make the top four this season?Yes
No
|
It goes from bad to worse for Arteta, who looks like will be without Tomiyasu at the back for the final game of the season.
Injury expert and Sky Sports contributor Ben Dinnery looked at the situation on his injury round-up show, saying: “Big question marks over Takehiro Tomiyasu. He was forced off at St James’ Park with a hamstring-related problem, I suggest he misses out altogether with Cedric Soares probably coming back into that starting XI.”
TIF Thoughts on Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury…
The Japanese defender being sidelined will be a huge blow to Arteta, as he would have to make do without his first-choice right back in a pivotal, must-win game for the Gunners should they have any chance of achieving their top-four goal this season.
|
|
Tomiyasu has been key to Arsenal, playing 21 games in the Premier League this season, only missing a chunk of fixtures due to another injury. With the £22.5m-rated ace only sustaining the issue on Monday night, you’d have to agree with Dinnery that it is likely Cedric will step in for him once again.
In other news: Why Richard Keys was fuming with Mikel Arteta