Mikel Arteta's decisions hint at Takehiro Tomiyasu replacement for Arsenal against Wolves

Mikel Arteta is expected to be without Takehiro Tomiyasu for Arsenal's return to Premier League action against Wolves on Thursday night.

The Japan international is the Gunners' only injury doubt ahead of their trip to Molineux as he's been struggling with a calf problem first sustained during the 4-1 win over Leeds United in December.

He did return to action on New Year's Day against Manchester City after missing the Boxing Day win at Norwich City due to a positive Covid-19 test, but that remains one of two outings for the 23-year-old in 2022.

Arteta's decision to rush Tomiyasu back for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg clash at home to Liverpool last month ultimately backfired as the defender's calf injury flared up again.

As a result, he missed the goalless draw at home to Burnley with the Arsenal manager revealing his £18million summer signing from Bologna was set for a spell on the sidelines.

"Tomi had an injury and we didn’t have anybody to play in that position against Liverpool," Arteta revealed after the Burnley game. "He needs to recover and look after himself, to try and be available as quick as he can.

"He will be out for a few weeks."

A fortnight has passed since Arteta issued this update, but the fact that Tomiyasu didn't travel to Dubai for the warm-weather training camp may be a clue that he's not quite ready to return to action just yet.

With that said, not being able to call upon Tomiyasu is not a new problem for Arteta as the defender has missed a total of seven games across all competitions since arriving at the Emirates Stadium.

Now, his absences from those matchday squads have not all been injury or Covid-19 related as he was rested for the earlier rounds of the Carabao Cup.

But it would appear