Arsenal star suffers injury setback ahead of crucial World Cup clash

Arsenal and Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has suffered another injury blow, with the most recent coming against Germany at the World Cup.

Japan got off to a flyer in Group E with a fine 2-1 win over the Germans in their first group game.

The 24-year-old has missed plenty of games through injury at the Gunners this season but has impressed when he has been able to.

Tomiyasu reportedly missed training on Thursday with a right thigh injury.

Mikel Arteta has praised the Japanese full-back's versatility in the past and cannot tell if he is left or right footed.

“Tomi has been playing left centre back for his national team Japan. When you look at the games, he can play as a left back too, because you cannot tell me if he’s a left or right-footed player.

“So we have the options there, and we have to utilise them in the best possible way. Especially with the number of minutes we are going to have in the next few weeks, and it’s great that players are comfortable doing more than one position.”

According to Yomiuri Online Tomiyasu is now a doubt for Japan's clash with Costa Rica on Sunday.