Mikel Arteta: 'Takehiro Tomiyasu has a chance of facing Aston Villa'

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu is in with a "chance" of facing Aston Villa in Saturday's Premier League battle.

The Japanese right-back picked up a fresh calf injury last month and has now been absent for the Gunners' last four Premier League matches after returning to the bench against Brentford on February 19.

Tomiyasu was left out of the Japan squad for the upcoming international break, which seemingly suggested that the 23-year-old would not be fit for the trip to Villa Park this weekend.

However, Arteta has revealed that Tomiyasu could be passed fit for the lunchtime clash, telling the press: "There is a chance, but we don't know. We will see in training how he is feeling."

Arsenal picked up no fresh injury concerns in the midweek defeat to Liverpool, so Arteta could have a fully-fit squad at his disposal should Tomiyasu return to the fold.

The former Bologna man has registered one assist from 16 top-flight games this season, with Cedric Soares primed to deputise should his teammate miss out once more.