Arsenal fans sweating on the fitness of defender Takehiro Tomiyasu ahead of their clash with Brentford have been handed a massive boost.

This comes as the club revealed that the Japanese defender has returned to training, albeit individual not full, as he works his way back from a calf injury.

The defender was last spotted in the Arsenal squad during their 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, where he endured a torrid evening.

‘We didn’t want to play him, we had to push him because Cedric and Callum were out and we didn’t have any full backs’, Mikel Arteta told the press following their defeat, ‘he didn’t have any training sessions with us, and still was willing play and compete the way he has done today.’

It was a disastrous move in hindsight, with Tomiyasu aggravating his pre-existing injury and Arsenal failing to make it to the final. However, his return is now imminent.

Will he start against Brentford?

Had it not been for the performance of Cedric Soares against Wolves, Tomiyasu would have almost certainly been pushed to be fit for Arsenal’s clash with Brentford on Saturday 19th February.

However, the Portuguese full-back defied many Arsenal fans expectations and put in a very strong performance at Molineux, helping Mikel Arteta’s side pick up all three points courtesy of a Gabriel goal in the first half.

Should Tomiyasu be raring to go, he will surely be handed back the place. However, should he not be 100% ready, it is likely that Cedric will be able to fill in once more.

Read more:

Inter Milan vs Liverpool live streaming: Watch Champions League online

Revealed: The PSG star Arsenal could have landed in exchange deal during January window