Opposition Watch: Latest injury news ahead of Reds trip to Arsenal

Opposition Watch: Arsenal injury updates ahead of crunch Liverpool clash

According to Football London, Arsenal have mixed news regarding injuries ahead of their crunch clash against Liverpool next week.

Arsenal come into the clash against the Reds on red hot form, having won five successive games in the Premier League. The Gunners defeated the Foxes 2-0 in the weekend and will be looking to take points off Jurgen Klopp’s side as they continue their charge to finish in a top-4 spot.

The Reds on the other hand are second in the Premier League, looking to usurp Manchester City to first as they look to continue their title charge against Mikel Arteta’s men. Going into the midweek clash between the two Premier League giants, the Gunners have very few injury concerns.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, who started the season in spectacular fashion for the Gunners, suffered injuries to both his calves and has been out of the team for quite some time now. The Japanese defender was a key cog in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal revival and he is not expected to be fit for the match against the Reds.

Emile Smith Rowe on the other hand has been forced to miss the clashes against Wolves and Watford due to a bout of Covid. However, the talented English starlet, who has scored nine Premier League goals this season for the Gunners returned to action against Leicester City off the bench and is fully expected to be ready for the clash against the Reds.

How big of a miss is Tomiyasu?

Tomiyasu joined Arsenal from Bologna in the summer and has excelled in Arteta’s team as a right back. The 23-year-old Japanese international has been good going forward and equally adept in defence, establishing himself as a starter in the team.

However, injuries have halted his progress in the last few weeks and has disrupted what was turning into an excellent first season in top-flight English football.

In the absence of his first-choice right-back, Arteta has used Cedric Soares extensively in that position and will probably continue to do so, against Liverpool.

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It does not seem like the absence of Tomiyasu has affected the Gunners with the Londoners continuing to march on in the Premier League as they aim for a Champions League spot. Arsenal will be a tough team to get past for Klopp and his men, especially based on current form and the Reds will have to be on top of their game to win at the Emirates.