Arsenal have been boosted by the return to fitness of Takehiro Tomiyasu, although the Japanese international will be available for a maximum of two games before he goes on international duty.
The 25-year-old limped off the pitch in the 2-1 defeat to Wolves on 2 December, after which examinations confirmed that he had a calf problem. He was expected to miss between four and six weeks, so his arrival for training is slightly ahead of schedule.
We will see if Arteta will include him in the squad for tomorrow’s game against Fulham. If he is fit, it would not be surprising if he makes the bench and then gets minutes when Liverpool host the Emirates in the FA Cup on 7 January.
Then we will have to wave goodbye to our versatile defender for a few weeks.
Japan will play Vietnam in the AFC Asia Cup opener on 14 January, followed by group matches against Iraq and Indonesia. Bookmakers have them as favourites to win the tournament, which ends on 10 February, meaning Tomi could miss another five games. Far from ideal.
On a more positive note, we hear that Tomiyasu and White are very close to signing new long-term contracts with Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta wants to reward both players for their good form and the news should be confirmed in the next few weeks.
ESPN reports that Villarreal, Besiktas and Trabszonspor are monitoring the availability of Cedric Soares. The Portuguese is expected to leave Arsenal after four years.