Arsenal dealt Takehiro Tomiyasu blow ahead of Aston Villa clash

Arsenal are seemingly set to be without Takehiro Tomiyasu for Saturday's Premier League showdown with Aston Villa.

The 23-year-old sustained an initial calf injury against Leeds United back in December but was back on the bench for the 2-1 home win over Brentford last month.

However, Tomiyasu has since injured his other calf and has been absent for Arsenal's last four Premier League games, although Mikel Arteta revealed before the Liverpool defeat that the right-back would try to train.

Japan are due to face Australia and Vietnam in their World Cup 2022 Qualifying matches during the March international break, but Tomiyasu has not been called up to the squad amid his injury woes.

As a result, the Gunners are seemingly set to make do without Tomiyasu for the lunchtime trip to Villa Park, with Cedric Soares once again in line to deputise for the former Bologna man.

Tomiyasu has registered one assist in 16 Premier League matches for Arsenal since his summer arrival and will potentially eye a return for the meeting with Crystal Palace after the international break on April 4.