'They don't understand': Darren Bent says £17m Arsenal player is way more important than people think
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Arsenal have had their fair share of injury problems this season.
Indeed, the Gunners have been without a number of key players at important points of this campaign.
Martin Odegaard's injury made headlines over the past few months, but he's not been the only player out of action.
| Arsenal injuries this season | Injury | Games missed |
| Takehiro Tomiyasu* | Knee injury | 16 |
| Kieran Tierney* | Hamstring injury | 17 |
| Martin Odegaard | Ankle injury | 12 |
| Riccardo Calafiori* | Calf/Knee injuries | 6 |
| Mikel Merino | Shoulder injury | 6 |
| Jurrien Timber | Muscle injury | 4 |
| Bukayo Saka | Leg injury | 2 |
| Ben White | Knee injury | 4 |
| Oleksandr Zinchenko | Calf injury | 7 |
| Declan Rice | Foot injury | 1 |
Arsenal have missed a number of key players, and speaking on Inside Gooners, Darren Bent has been discussing how much Arsenal have missed Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Bent says that other fans don't realise it, but Tomiyasu's absence has been a big blow for Arsenal.
Arsenal have missed Takehiro Tomiyasu
Bent spoke about the Japan international and how important he is to this Arsenal team.
The pundit says other people don't realise it, but Tomiyasu is a vital component of this squad.
"Do you know what as well, it's funny, you speak to rival fans and you say about the injury crisis. You mention Tomiyasu because of how important he is, but they don't understand, they say you're making excuses," Bent said.
"But it's so clear that if Tomiyasu is fit he can play in so many positions. Everytime he never lets you down. He doesn't give you a 10 out of 10, that's just not him, but he can give you a seven or an eight, which is more than adequate. Rival fans play down that Tomiyasu injury because they don't understand it."
When is Takehiro Tomiyasu back?
Tomiyasu has been out of action for a little while now, so when is he set to return?
Sadly, it doesn't sound like the £17m man will be back anytime soon.
Mikel Arteta says Tomiyasu is set for a few more weeks on the sideline.
“He is going to be away now for a few weeks to continue with his treatment and as well change a little bit the environment, because psychologically it has been really, really tough for him – as you can imagine,' Arteta said.
"He is a guy that the only thing he wants to do is work 24 hours to get better and he feels terrible when he is not fit. It's a real shame, so we are going to give him the best opportunity to try out that kind of thing.
"If it can trigger something, unlock something and try to help him, to have him as quick as possible back – but I think we need to be patient."
Ben White is also out of action for a few months, so Arsenal's defensive depth is threadbare at the minute to say the least.
Arsenal are currently four without a win in the Premier League, and their defensive injury crisis certainly isn't helping things.
