Arsenal dealt blow as star set to miss USA pre-season tour due to knee injury
Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their preparations for the 2024-25 season as Takehiro Tomiyasu has been ruled out of their pre-season tour. The Gunners are set to embark on a tour of the US to get in shape for the upcoming season.
Mikel Arteta's side narrowly missed out on the Premier League title for a second successive season in 2023-24. They will be looking to take the final step and claim their first league title in over 20 years in the upcoming season. The club has now released a list of its players who will be on the plane to the USA for pre-season.
The Arsenal squad list has some notable absentees, some due to international engagements over the summer, and others due to injury. Japanese international Takehiro Tomiyasu falls into the latter category, as the club stated that he is struggling with a knee problem and will remain in London.
The Gunners will be without the versatile Japanese defender, as well as left-back Kieran Tierney, for their tour. They are scheduled to face Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Liverpool in the USA before they return to London for the final round of preparations.
Arsenal have a strong 26-player group for the tour of the USA, with a number of youngsters also traveling. New summer signing Tommy Setford has made the cut, as have teenage prospects Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The Gunners will be without their two senior goalkeepers, David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale, after they each reached the final of Euro 2024 with their countries. Declan Rice and William Saliba have also not been named in the squad after reaching the latter stages of the Euros.
Arsenal ace closing in on Ligue 1 transfer - Reports
Arsenal star Eddie Nketiah is nearing a switch to French giants Olympique Marseille as they continue their summer spending spree. The Englishman is wanted by the Ligue 1 side, as per reports from Foot Mercato.
The Gunners had earlier turned down an approach from the French side for the striker, but are assessing a new offer from Roberto De Zerbi's side. Nketiah is part of the Arsenal squad heading to the USA, but has struggled for regular playing time under Mikel Arteta and may be keen on a move.
Olympique Marseille have been active in the market this summer, having already completed deals for Mason Greenwood and Ismael Kone. They are reportedly closing in on the signing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Tottenham Hotspur as well.