Arsenal have revealed that full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu will be sidelined for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery.
The Japan international earned a rare start in the Gunners’ last-16 second leg match against Sporting last week, but had to be brought off after nine minutes having overstretched to defend an attack.
Arsenal have since revealed that Tomiyasu was required to have knee surgery as a result of that injury, meaning he will be unavailable for the remainder of the season and Premier League title race.
“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,” a club 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.”