Tomiyasu might not return this season but Arteta hopes for better news on Saliba

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is unsure if Takehiro Tomiyasu will return from injury this season, but hopes the Gunners receive more positive news about fellow defender William Saliba.

Tomiyasu and Saliba were both sent off from Arsenal's Europa League Round of 16 second leg tie against Sporting CP - which Arteta's men ultimately lost on penalties - with injuries on Thursday.< /p>
Both men were then out as Arsenal built an eight-point lead at the Premier League summit on Sunday, beating managerless Crystal Palace 4-1 at the weekend as title rivals Manchester City , was on duty in the FA Cup.

Asked after the win if Tomiyasu's knee injury could rule him out for the rest of the campaign, Arteta replied: "We don't know, obviously the doctor is evaluating him.

"We had an assessment, they should have another one tomorrow, but it's not looking good, that's for sure.

"Looking at Tomi, he's not someone who exaggerates things. He was really worried right away, and we're worried."

Reports suggest Saliba could be forced out of the France squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland, but Arteta hopes he doesn't miss out an important part of Arsenal's break-in.

Rob Holding made his first start of the Premier League season against Palace, and Arteta says more fringe players will have to step in as the Gunners chase their first title since 2004.

"We hope Willy will be better news, but again we have to wait until [Monday] to figure out a better picture," he said.

"We lost players - we lost Gabby [Gabriel Jesus] for four months; we lost Thomas [Partey] for a month and a half; we lost Oleksandr Zinchenko for a month and a half.

“We lost [Mohamed] Elneny for six to eight months; we lost Eddie [Nketiah], and now we lost Tomiyasu and Saliba. Everyone must give more.

"It's no secret that if we want to maintain this level, everyone has to step up, give more, and Rob is a great example of what we needed today."

Sports Mar 20, 2023 0 55 Add to Reading List

Tomiyasu might not return this season but Arteta hopes for better news on Saliba

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is unsure if Takehiro Tomiyasu will return from injury this season, but hopes the Gunners receive more positive news about fellow defender William Saliba.

Tomiyasu and Saliba were both sent off from Arsenal's Europa League Round of 16 second leg tie against Sporting CP - which Arteta's men ultimately lost on penalties - with injuries on Thursday.< /p>

Both men were then out as Arsenal built an eight-point lead at the Premier League summit on Sunday, beating managerless Crystal Palace 4-1 at the weekend as title rivals Manchester City , was on duty in the FA Cup.

Asked after the win if Tomiyasu's knee injury could rule him out for the rest of the campaign, Arteta replied: "We don't know, obviously the doctor is evaluating him.

"We had an assessment, they should have another one tomorrow, but it's not looking good, that's for sure.

"Looking at Tomi, he's not someone who exaggerates things. He was really worried right away, and we're worried."

Reports suggest Saliba could be forced out of the France squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland, but Arteta hopes he doesn't miss out an important part of Arsenal's break-in.

Rob Holding made his first start of the Premier League season against Palace, and Arteta says more fringe players will have to step in as the Gunners chase their first title since 2004.

"We hope Willy will be better news, but again we have to wait until [Monday] to figure out a better picture," he said.

"We lost players - we lost Gabby [Gabriel Jesus] for four months; we lost Thomas [Partey] for a month and a half; we lost Oleksandr Zinchenko for a month and a half.

“We lost [Mohamed] Elneny for six to eight months; we lost Eddie [Nketiah], and now we lost Tomiyasu and Saliba. Everyone must give more.

"It's no secret that if we want to maintain this level, everyone has to step up, give more, and Rob is a great example of what we needed today."