Arsenal's Japanese right-back, Takehiro Tomiyasu, has been dealt a major blow as he will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury sustained during their Europa League clash against Sporting CP. The injury occurred in the ninth minute of the last-16 second-leg tie, as Tomiyasu lunged into a tackle before leaving the pitch on crutches and being replaced by Ben White.

The injury comes as a huge setback for the Gunners as Tomiyasu had been a key player since his arrival at the club in August 2021. The 22-year-old defender has made 19 appearances across all competitions and his defensive abilities, pace and versatility have made him an important part of Mikel Arteta's squad.

Arteta's side has been hit hard by injuries this season, and the loss of Tomiyasu adds to their already lengthy injury list. The Club confirmed the injury in a statement: "Following his substitution during last Thursday’s Europa League match, subsequent assessments have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained a significant injury to his right knee".

Tomiyasu's absence will also affect Japan's national team as he was expected to be a key player for them in the upcoming KIRIN Challenge Cup. The injury will force him to miss the tournament, and his absence will be a significant loss for the team.

The injury also raises questions about the fitness of the Arsenal squad, as several players have been sidelined with long-term injuries this season. Arteta and his medical team will need to work on improving the players' fitness and avoiding similar injuries in the future.

Tomiyasu's injury is a significant setback for Arsenal and their aspirations for the remainder of the season. It is now up to the rest of the squad to step up and fill the void left by the talented right-back.