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Arsenal handed boost but Tomiyasu could miss Watford trip

By mac14 on March 4, 2022

Arsenal will be looking to make it four wins on the bounce when we take on Watford at Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon.

Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media at his press conference today and the boss has given a team news update ahead of the game.

Thankfully, Arteta confirmed that Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns to worry about following the 2-1 comeback victory over Wolves late last month.

However, the Spaniard did reveal that Takehiro Tomiyasu remains a doubt for the game against Watford this weekend. The Japan international hasn’t featured since the second leg of our Carabao Cup semi final defeat to Liverpool on January 20.

Tomiyasu was initially out with a calf injury and looked to be on the road to recovery after being an unused substitute during the win over Brentford on February 19.

However, the defender was ruled out of the win over Wolves last Thursday after sustaining an injury to the other calf, and Tomiyasu remains a doubt for the trip to Vicarage Road on Sunday.

Emile Smith Rowe also sat out the win over Wolves due to illness. But the attacking midfielder has trained this week and based on Arteta’s comments today, it appears Smith Rowe is back in contention.

Arteta told Arsenal.com:

on the latest team news…

We are in the same place as last week, we still have a doubt over Tomiyasu but the rest I think are in a good place.

Smith Rowe is fully expected to be back in the squad this weekend and his return will come as a big boost. The youngster has been in terrific form this season with 10 goals in all competitions so Arteta will be glad to have him available again.

It’s obviously still a concern that Tomiyasu is struggling with his calf injury as he’s been a key player for Arsenal this season. I don’t see the club rushing him back so it looks like Cedric Soares will continue at right-back against Watford.