Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Takehiro Tomiyasu ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
The Japan international hasn’t featured since early January due to a calf injury - but our head coach is remaining patient with his return to full fitness.
Read the transcript below for the latest on Tomiyasu’s availability, plus an update on Emile Smith Rowe:
on whether Tomiyasu will be fit for Saturday…
There is a chance, but we don’t know, again today in training we will see how he’s feeling.
on why he’s taken so long to get back to full fitness…
Because he had a reoccurring injury around the same place and then obviously after that you have to be a little more cautious sometimes.