Opponent watch: Arsenal could be without key defensive star for Stamford Bridge visit

Arsenal to assess Takehiro Tomiyasu injury ahead of crunch clash against Chelsea

According to The Evening Standard, Premier League leaders Arsenal could take to the field against Chelsea this weekend sans Takehiro Tomiyasu.

The Japanese international has been one of Mikel Arteta’s stalwarts this season and has found his rhythm in the Premier League. With 18 appearances across all competitions, the 23-year-old is today undroppable from the Gunners’ first XI.

He limped off against FC Zurich on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League and is now facing a race against time tor regain his fitness. With the FIFA World Cup just weeks away, it is fair to say that both club and country will hope the issue isn’t serious.

Speaking after the game, Arteta revealed that the player had a muscular issue. The extent to the injury has not been ascertained and will take place over the next few days. With Arsenal set to travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Tomiyasu is a serious doubt to make the cut.

The 23-year-old’s potential absence is good news for Chelsea. While the likes of Ben White can step in and do a job, the Gunners’ will be far from their best. In fact, Arsenal’s lone Premier League loss of the season against Manchester United occurred in Tomiyasu’s absence. By the time he replaced White in the game, the jig was up.

Meanwhile Emile Smith-Rowe and Matt Turner will miss the game as they continue to recover from injuries. Kiernan Tierney too picked up a knock against Zurich but has declared himself fine.

Arsenal have started the season well and will be formidable opponents on the day. With fatigue and injuries to cope with, Chelsea could upset the applecart and dent Arteta’s title ambitions.

More Chelsea News

• Paul Parker tips Chelsea to sign a wing-back as Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella “not good enough” for Graham Potter
• Real Madrid eyeing Chelsea target Moises Caicedo as Luka Modric’s replacement
• Ally McCoist urges Chelsea to sign Wilfried Zaha and believes the winger would walk into the team

Chelsea have concerns of their own with Ben Chilwell picking up a nasty hamstring injury against Dinamo Zagreb. He joins Reece James and Wesley Fofana on the long term causalities list. Denis Zakaria also picked up a knock midweek and it remains to be seen whether he will return this weekend.