{"id":8083,"date":"2024-05-08T12:19:55","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T12:19:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=8083"},"modified":"2024-05-08T12:19:55","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T12:19:55","slug":"arsenal-star-provides-update-after-missing-training-ahead-of-man-utd-clash-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=8083","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal star provides update after missing training ahead of Man Utd clash | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Mikel\n<\/div>

Mikel Arteta has had an almost entirely fit squad to choose from in recent weeks (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu appears set to hand Mikel Arteta a fitness boost ahead of Sunday\u2019s Premier League showdown against Manchester United. <\/p>\n

The Gunners remain in the hunt for a first league title in 20 years, but only maximum points will suffice this weekend. <\/p>\n

Manchester City will regain top spot should they win on Saturday lunchtime at Fulham, meaning Arsenal will have to respond in kind should they wish to take a thrilling race to the final week of the campaign. <\/p>\n

Tomiyasu, having regained full fitness, has played an increasingly prominent role in recent weeks, usurping Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko as his manager\u2019s first choice left-back. <\/p>\n

The Japan international caused a measure of concern on yesterday, however, when he was reported to be the only first team player to have missed Tuesday\u2019s training session.<\/p>\n

Tomiyasu is being nursed through the last few weeks of the season and is understood to have trained in doors in order to manage his workload.<\/p>\n

Alongside Ben White, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, Tomiyasu has helped form the English top flight\u2019s meanest defensive machine and he is hoping for two more clean sheets between now and the end of the season.<\/p>\n

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\"Takehiro\n<\/div>

Takehiro Tomiyasu has been in excellent form since returning to the Arsenal first team (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018The two centre-backs, Gabi and [William] Saliba, they are so consistent \u2013 and so is Ben [White] as well,\u201d Tomiyasu said.<\/p>\n

\u2018We have had a lot of clean sheets because of them. I want to be part of that [defence]. We will try to get another clean sheet at Old Trafford as well.<\/p>\n

\u2018Obviously it won\u2019t be an easy game because it is a tough place to play and take three points. But we are confident and we will be there to get three points.<\/p>\n

\u2018If we win the title, we will be happy. I don\u2019t want anything else, we just want the title. For me, there has not been many chances to be involved in this title race, so I am happy I am involved now. If there is a chance in front of us, we have to go for it and take it.\u2019<\/p>\n

Given his questionable fitness record since his move from Bologna approaching three years ago, eyebrows were raised when Tomiyasu was handed the chance to sign a new long-term contract in March.<\/p>\n

The versatile defender is now confident his injury problems are behind him and hehopes to play a key part of an exciting future under Arteta.<\/p>\n

\u2018It was tough for me [being injured] because, after we lost in the Asian Cup, I wanted to play,\u201d said Tomiyasu.<\/p>\n