Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has affirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu will be "close" to returning for Monday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
The Japanese right-back has struggled with problems in both calves over the past couple of months and has not featured for Arsenal since the EFL Cup semi-final second leg defeat to Liverpool on January 20.
Tomiyasu was not fit to return from his latest issue against Aston Villa, but Arteta has revealed that the 23-year-old should return to team training over the weekend and may be in contention for Monday's game.
"I think he will be close, he's been training more and more, he has the boys back so he will be joining some sessions this week so let's see how he is," Arteta told reporters at his pre-match press conference.
"He had a recurring injury but in the other calf, which was strange and difficult to predict but he's been through a lot with the amount of games that he's played and the transition to a different league. Hopefully we don't go through that situation again because especially for him it's been tough."
The Arsenal boss was also optimistic over Bukayo Saka's fitness for Monday after his positive COVID-19 test, but Aaron Ramsdale is still a doubt with his hip injury.
Ben Knapton
