TOMIYASU ABSENT FOR IPSWICH, NUREMBERG GAMES

Arsenal defender TakehiroTomiyasu has been missing in action as far as preseason is concerned for the Gunners. The Japan international has not been with the Arsenal team since they started preseason at the start of last week. He has been absent after his involvement with Japan during last month’s set of international games. To this effect, the Japan star has missed the preseason friendly wins over Ipswich Town and Nuremberg. He’s expected to report back to training at the start of the new week.

Tomiyasu was missing from the Arsenal squad as they began their preseason friendlies this summer with the 5-1 thumping of English League One opposition Ipswich Town at their London Colney training ground last week Saturday. Eddie Nketiah was the star of the show after he scored a hat-trick during the game, while Albert-Sambi Lokonga was also on the scoresheet. Young Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun came off the bench to score the fifth Arsenal goal in the second half.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta named his squad for the friendly game against hosts Nuremberg on Friday and Japan international Tomiyasu was missing as expected. He was a major absentee in the Arsenal defence as they came from two goals down at the half-time interval to beat the Germans 5-3.

New signing Gabriel Jesus was the star of the show after he came off the bench to score twice for the North Londoners. It took the Brazilian star just 90 seconds to register his first goal in an Arsenal albeit in preseason. His introduction was a major reason why the Gunners were able to turn the game on its head against their opponents from the second tier of German club football. Arsenal made a big statement with  the £45m signing of the Brazil player from fellow Premier League side Manchester City. Just like what was obtainable with Jesus, Egyptian international Mohamed ElNeny also came off the bench to score one of the Arsenal goals.