Arsenal handed major Champions League selection boost vs Porto as Takehiro Tomiyasu spotted

Takehiro Tomiyasu could be a part of the Arsenal matchday squad for the Champions League clash with Porto on Tuesday evening, football.london understands.

Tomiyasu trained with the Gunners' first team on Monday afternoon and is now primed for a potential first outing since New Year's Eve, a date which saw the 25-year-old play 45 minutes in a 2-1 away defeat at Fulham. That is because Tomiyasu has been spotted with the squad at the hotel ahead of the game in north London tonight.

The former Bologna defender has been out of action since December with a calf injury and saw his absence away from the squad extended after being selected to compete in the Asian Cup for Japan in January.

Tomiyasu has remained unavailable for selection upon the completion of this competition but is now edging closer to being back out on the pitch for the Gunners during a crucial part of the season.

Speaking ahead of tonight's Champions League Round of 16 second leg, Mikel Arteta told reporters he had hopes of the versatile defender being in contention to take on Porto. He said: «Not many updates – we still have 24 hours and we’re trying to have everybody fit an available. He [Tomiyasu] did the first part, Gabi didn’t, but that’s what we’re hoping for [Tomi to be involved].»

Arsenal have coped well without their 2021 summer signing and moved to the top of the Premier League on Sunday evening after Liverpool held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at Anfield. Ben White has shone in recent weeks at right-back, withJakub Kiwior also stepping up in this department.

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