Arteta transfer decision backfires as injury exposes major Arsenal weakness
The loss of Takehiro Tomiyasu to injury could leave Arsenal regretting their decision to let fellow right-back Cedric Soares leave on loan in January.
Japan international Tomiyasu suffered a season-ending knee problem during the Gunners' Europa League exit at the hands of Sporting CP. After coping without the defender on Sunday during a win against Crystal Palace, they confirmed he will miss the remainder of the campaign.
While Ben White's form has made Tomiyasu's absence manageable, the lack of cover could become a worry during a crucial stage of the season. As Mikel Arteta prepares his side for 10 huge league games, he'll hope the avoidable loss of Cedric doesn't prove too much of a problem.
To make matters worse for Arsenal, Cedric has barely featured for Fulham. The Portugal international has largely played back-up to Kenny Tete in West London, starting just one game for Marco Silva's side.
In the league, meanwhile, the former Southampton man was handed late run-outs from the bench against Nottingham Forest and Brentford. He stayed on the bench against Brighton and Wolves, and was ineligible when Fulham took on his parent club.
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Arsenal did bolster their defensive ranks in January with the addition of Jakub Kiwior. However, the Polish centre-back is left-footed and has not been known to slot in on the right.
Will Arsenal regret their Cedric decision? Have your say in the comments section
Takehiro Tomiyasu will not play any further part this season (Getty Images)"Following his substitution during last Thursday’s Europa League match, subsequent assessments have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained a significant injury to his right knee," an Arsenal statement read.
"Tomi has had successful surgery in London on Tuesday and will be ruled out for the remainder of this season. Everyone at the club will now be working hard with Tomi, so he can join pre-season training ahead of next season."
Arsenal have an eight-point cushion over Manchester City after beating Crystal Palace on Sunday, with centre-back William Saliba also missing from the squad after picking up an injury of his own against Sporting. However, while the Gunners have 10 games left to play, City have 11.
Cedric Soares joined Fulham on loan from Arsenal in the January transfer window (@FulhamFC/Twitter)The top two in the league are due to face off on April 26 at the Etihad Stadium, with reigning champions City looking to complete a league double over Arsenal after winning 3-1 in North London. Arsenal have to travel to Liverpool before that clash, as well as facing games against relegation-threatened trio Leeds, West Ham and Southampton.
“I’m really happy. Really pleased with the way we started the game," Arteta said after the most recent win.
“I was already really pleased with the way that they’d reacted to Thursday. So I’m really happy to perform the way we did after playing 120 minutes and after losing two big players.”
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