Arsenal have announced that Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss the rest of the season.
The 24-year-old was withdrawn nine minutes into last Thursday’s Europa League clash with Sporting CP.
Tomiyasu sustained a significant injury to his right knee.
Surgery was carried out on him on Tuesday and he is unexpected to return to action anytime soon.
Arsenal are working towards ensuring that Tomiyasu is ready for pre-season training ahead of next season.
The news comes as a blow for the Gunners, and manager Mikel Arteta will hope it does not derail his side’s campaign.
The north London club will also be without French centre-back William Saliba for a while.
The 21-year-old also came off against the Portuguese club and could be out for a couple of weeks.
However, Saliba is expected to return to action before the campaign ends.
He sustained a back injury, which is unlikely to take long to heal.
Arsenal strolled to a 4-1 win in their next game after the Europa League match.
Arteta deployed Rob Holding in the absence of Saliba against Crystal Palace.
He will be tasked with playing at centre-back alongside Gabriel Magalhaes until the Frenchman returns.
Ben White has regularly played at right-back ahead of Tomiyasu and will continue to do so for the rest of the season.
Being without the Japanese deals a blow to Arsenal’s squad depth.
However, the fact that they only have the Premier League to concentrate on will soften the blow.
They have ten games left in the campaign and may have to win most of them to clinch their first title since 2004.
