When speaking in the pre-match press conference, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta said a decision on the Japan international would be taken on the day of the clash after confirming the defender was still being assessed following his substitution in the 2-1 win over Luton Town at the weekend.
"We assessed him after the game. We took him out for precaution," the Spanish tactician told reporters at London Colney on Monday afternoon. "We will wait. Whether it's useful to use him we'll decide tomorrow. He's a strong boy hopefully he'll be fine."
Even if Tomiyasu is available for selection, it's worth pointing out Arsenal have trips to Villa Park and Anfield on the horizon as well as a home game against Brighton & Hove Albion so that means Arteta has a big decision to make concerning the starting line-up he selects at Kenilworth Road.
Now if it's decided that the 25-year-old should not be risked against the Hatters then Ben White, who missed the win over Burnley before last month's international break because of injury but has since made three successive appearances as a substitute, is the obvious choice to slot in at right-back
"After the injury and the way we managed his load," Arteta added when asked if the Gunners' No.4 was a potential replacement for Tomiyasu. "He's feeling perfect, back to fitness, and he played some minutes. He’s in a good place."
If all goes well, Tomiyasu gets the all-clear and whether he starts or not against Luton, Arteta will have the luxury of naming an unchanged matchday squad for the third successive Premier League fixture. However, if the versatile defender doesn't make the trip then there will be a slight issue.Already without Fabio Vieira, Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe because of injury, another absentee would leave Arsenal in a position where they have 17 senior outfield players available for selection.
Previously Arteta has solved such a situation by calling up an academy player, or two, to make up the numbers in the squad and if the Burnley game is any indication then Reuell Walters would be in line to be named on the substitutes bench as defensive cover if Tomiyasu doesn't travel.
Having said that, the Gunners' Under-21s side are in EFL Trophy - now known as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy - action this evening against Peterborough United so it could be that the teenager is required elsewhere.
In this scenario coupled with Tomiyasu missing out, Arteta will still be left with 20 senior players available to make up the matchday squad and he could decide to bring them all to Kenilworth Road which would mean a call-up for Karl Hein - as was the case against Newcastle United last month - thus repeating the unusual sight of two goalkeepers on the bench for a Premier League fixture.
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