Mikel Arteta gives Takehiro Tomiyasu injury update as another Arsenal star tests positive

Mikel Arteta has revealed Takehiro Tomiyasu has been fielded against Leeds due to a muscle injury, while also confirming Pablo Mari is not participating today after testing positive for coronavirus.

Arsenal won 4-1 on the trip to Elland Road with Gabriel Martinelli (2), Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe All are on the scoreboard.

In a game where Arteta will have many positives, there is concern with defender Tomiyasu, who was sent off in the second half shortly after receiving a bump to his ankle.

But the Spaniard says it has to do with muscle issues instead.

“No, it’s more of a muscular issue,” explains Arteta. ‘Obviously, he has a huge burden on him.

‘He’s been playing every minute since he joined us and even this week he’s had a bit of a struggle.

‘So we decided to put him on the pitch, he’s not 100 per cent confident to continue the game and hope he doesn’t get injured.’

Arteta confirmed before starting that Albert Sambi Lokonga missed the game after testing positive and he revealed defender Mari is the latest Arsenal star to be forced into isolation.

Asked why their London Colney training ground was closed on Thursday, Arteta said: ‘Pure precaution as we have several cases in staff and we want to prevent any problems.

‘Everybody we’ve seen around us, when they’ve had a few cases, the cases have gone up.

‘We want to protect our people and Gary [O’Driscoll] and the paramedics made the right call, trying to close for a day, stay away from this place, make sure everyone’s tests are negative, and make sure that when we come back, everyone is safe.

‘We had another player, Pablo also had Covid, unfortunately they [Mari and Lokonga] will go out.’

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