Mikel Arteta must make one bold selection decision ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United if the latest Arsenal injury rumour proves to be true.
Mikel Arteta has been fortunate to have very few injuries to consider when picking his Arsenal team in recent weeks.
However, the Gunners now have a fresh fitness concern ahead of this weekend’s all-important trip to Old Trafford, as Takehiro Tomiyasu was noted as being absent from training this week.
The Japanese defender has started the Gunners’ last three Premier League matches, playing at left-back, and has found some form. Tomiyasu impressed against Bournemouth last time out with his willingness to get forward and ability to link up play in the final third.
If the 25-year-old is not fit to face Manchester United, then Arteta will have a tough selection decision to make.
The Spanish coach has three alternative players to pick from in that part of the pitch, given Jurrien Timber is now considered available for selection again. However, with the Dutchman having been sidelined for so long, it seems vanishingly unlikely that he will be handed his first start since August in a fixture of this magnitude.
In reality, when it comes to who may have to step into the starting XI on Sunday to replace Tomiyasu, a decision will have to be made between Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
How Arsenal must react to Takehiro Tomiyasu injury blow
Kiwior impressed earlier this season when he was required to fill-in at left-back for an extended period. The Poland international is a centre-back by trade, but has shown that he can be adaptable.
However, it would be fair to say that the 24-year-old lacks attacking impetus. Kiwior is relatively secure in possession, but he offers very little on the ball in the final third.
Due to this, Arteta must be bold and call upon Zinchenko instead. At his best, the Ukrainian can function as something of a bonus playmaker for Arsenal. He is able to help Arteta’s side dominate possession, dictate the pace of matches, and he has the vision and passing range to unlock defences.
Zinchenko is considered something of a defensive liability, and has not been in the best of form of late, but in a must-win game such as this, Arsenal need to make sure that their attacking unit is set up to be as efficient and clinical as possible.
Mikel Arteta must make tough call on Takehiro Tomiyasu
If Tomiyasu is sidelined for this match then that has to raise concerns about his future.
His quality is undeniable. However, the £20 million former Bologna man’s recurrent fitness issues mean that he simply can’t be relied upon to be fit and available when needed.
Arsenal can’t afford to carry anyone in their squad, and Arteta must seriously consider moving Tomiyasu on this summer if there are no signs that he will be able to get on top of his injury issues.