Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu’s Instagram update provides important clues ahead of Chelsea’s big game | Tech Reddy

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has been handed a huge trophy ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (November 6).

Tomiyasu, 24, picked up a hamstring injury in the Gunners’ 1-0 UEFA Europa League win over FC Zurich on Thursday. After replacing Ben White in the 73rd minute, he was replaced at the end of the season.

However, Tomiyasu is believed to be close to returning to action ahead of his side’s clash with Chelsea. Taking to Instagram, he posted a picture of himself in an Arsenal kit.

Celebrating his 24th birthday on Saturday, he wrote:

“The 24th birthday has changed.”

During a post-match interview with BT Sport, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was asked about the Japanese situation. He said (via football.london):

“We don’t know. He has a complex disease and we have to leave because we don’t want to risk it.

Tomiyasu, who arrived from Bologna for a fee in the region of £20 million last summer, has started eight matches across all competitions this season. He has replaced injured left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko in all four of his Premier League appearances.

A traditional right-back who knows how to handle multiple roles, Tomiyasu is said to be higher than Kieran Tierney in the pecking order at left-back.

However, with Zinchenko nearing fitness and Tierney impressing against Zurich, the Avispa Fukuoka academy graduate is unlikely to start against Chelsea.

Paul Merson predicts the outcome of the Chelsea-Arsenal clash

In his column for Sportskeeda, former Gunners forward Paul Merson has predicted a 1-1 draw between the two London rivals. He wrote:

“If Arsenal win this game, Chelsea need to lose five football matches to catch them, and if Chelsea don’t lose themselves. This is a big game for them, they need to avoid defeat.”

He adds:

“Arsenal are flying in the Premier League at the moment, they don’t need a break for the World Cup. They are on top of the table and Forest are very good. I think it will end this match to pay.”

The Gunners have a slight edge over the west London outfit in their head-to-head record, with four wins, three draws and three defeats in their last league meetings.