Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is not expected to start against Luton Town after sustaining a calf injury in the 2-1 win over Wolves.
The Japanese international was substituted with just over 10 minutes left to go at the weekend and, speaking at his pre-match conference on Monday, manager Mikel Arteta said that, while the player was taken off as a precaution, they may not risk him at Kenilworth Road:
“We assessed him after the game. We took him out for precaution. We will wait. Whether it’s useful to use him, we’ll decide tomorrow. He’s a strong boy, hopefully, he’ll be fine.”
Considering the Gunners have a ready-made replacement in Ben White waiting in the wings to take Tomiyasu’s place, it would be sensible to take him out of the firing line.
Fabio Vieira underwent an operation on a groin injury at the start of last week and it appears the Portuguese international won’t be back in contention until after the winter break at the end of January.
Updates on the fitness of 3 other Arsenal players
Thomas Partey may return slightly earlier than Vieira. The Ghanaian international had surgery on a thigh injury at the beginning of November and the estimated return date is early New Year.
There is less certainty as to when Emile Smith Rowe will make his comeback. The attacking midfielder injured his knee before the Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham just over a month ago.
Arteta has claimed that there is a “possibility” the 23-year-old could play before the break in January but that’s as much information as he would give. He did say that Smith Rowe is “jogging” but he is seemingly not close to taking a full part in training.
Jurrien Timber sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury on his league debut against Nottingham Forest back in August. There are fears that he may not play again this season.
