Takehiro Tomiyasu sends worrying message to Mikel Arteta over Arsenal return

Takehiro Tomiyasu has hinted he isn’t ready to make an instant return to Arsenal after Japan’s crushing World Cup exit against Croatia.

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The Samurai Blue captured the hearts of football fans across the globe following their exploits in Qatar.

Japan topped their group by causing upsets and beating traditional powerhouses Spain and Germany, but their adventure came to an end in heartbreaking circumstances on Monday.

After missing three of their four penalties in a one-sided shootout that followed a 1-1 draw, Japan missed out on quarter-final against Brazil, much to Tomiyasu’s disappointment.

The Arsenal defender had been used sparingly in the tournament having joined the squad nursing an injury he sustained during a Europa League win over FC Zurich last month.

The Gunners flew to Dubai on Monday for a warm weather training camp ahead of the Premier League resumption on Boxing Day, but Tomiyasu hinted he will need extra time to recover from the emotional strain caused by Japan’s World Cup demise.

He said: ‘It was not enough, we did not deserve to win. We were so close to achieving our aim. They were better than us.

‘I can’t be proud, I am not satisfied about what happened. This is football & we need to be much, much better.

On when he could return to Arsenal, Tomiyasu added: ‘I don’t know.

‘Hopefully I can get a bit of rest. I need time to forget about football. I need a bit of time.’

Arsenal, meanwhile, are still awaiting the outcome of further tests on the injury sustained by Gabriel Jesus last Friday.

The Brazil international has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup and initial reports suggested he could be missing for up to three months should surgery be required.

Jesus returned to London over the weekend and is unlikely to link up with the rest of Arteta’s squad in Dubai where his team are due to play friendlies against Lyon and AC Milan.

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