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Topics: Arsenal, Fan Reactions, Mikel Arteta, Football, Premier League
John McDougall
Topics: Arsenal, Fan Reactions, Mikel Arteta, Football, Premier League
Arsenal are heading out to the United States for a pre-season tour ahead of the new Premier League campaign - but Gunners fans fear one player's time at the club could be up after being left behind.
Mikel Arteta's side have been runners-up to Manchester City in the past two Premier League seasons and the North London outfit will be hoping to take the next step in the upcoming campaign.
The new top flight campaign begins on Friday, August 16, when Manchester United host Fulham in the first full weekend of Premier League action, with Arsenal taking on Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.
To prepare for the new campaign, Arsenal are heading out Stateside to play a host of pre-season friendlies against fellow Premier League sides in the form of Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Arsenal take on Bournemouth in Carson on July 24, before a clash against United in Los Angeles on July 27, and end their trio of games by playing Liverpool in Philadelphia on July 31.
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They then have friendly matches at the Emirates Stadium against Bayer Leverkusen on August 7, before playing Lyon on August 11.
With several members of the squad having played in the latter stages of both Euro 2020 and the Copa America, a mixed squad has been taken by Arteta to the States.
The likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Aaron Ramsdale, David Raya and William Saliba will not report back to London Colney until after the Gunners have returned from America.
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The squad Arteta takes will include Martin Odegaard, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus, Jurrien Timber, Leandro Trossard, Jorginho, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson.
Two players who will not be part of the trip as they continue rehabilitation from injuries are Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu for hamstring and knee issues respectively.
Tomiyasu has 83 appearances in three seasons in North London, but has had injury issues during his time at Arsenal.
And Gunners fans believe Tomiyasu's time at Arsenal could be coming to an end soon after this latest development.
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One fan wrote: "Goodbye mate."
Another posted: "The Tomiyasu incessant injuries are becoming a serious source of worry, he just can’t stay fit for sustained period of time. When the signing of the Bologna dude goes through we should seriously consider cashing in on Tomiyasu instead of selling Kiwior. No need keeping a talent whose reliability and availability aren’t guaranteed most of the time."
A third wrote: "I think his time is up."
A fourth posted: "As good as Tomi is question marks have to be raised about the amount of injuries."
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Another said: "We need to consider offers for this guy. Can’t stay fit and we have Calafiori coming now."
But a sixth fan took a slightly different view: "He'll be ready for Emirates Cup against Leverkusen. No worries needed and no uncomfortable conversation needed. If his time is up, then is up."