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Arsenal defender Tomiyasu out of Japan's friendly with Ecuador

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is out of Japan's friendly with Ecuador.

Tomiyasu is yet to start a Premier League match for Arsenal this season with Ben White having been the number one choice for Mikel Arteta at right-back.

The Japanese defender missed the Gunners' pre-season tour of America as he continued to recover from a series of calf problems.

There is no indication yet from the Japanese FA that the 23-year-old has suffered another fitness problem and instead the decision has been made "due to club circumstances", hinting Arsenal had an agreement over the player's participation for this international break. Tomiyasu played the entirety of his country's 2-0 friendly win over the USA on Friday but will now head back to north London.

The full statement reads: "We would like to inform you that defender TOMIYASU Takehiro (Arsenal) will be withdrawing from the SAMURAI BLUE ahead of the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2022 Ecuador National Team match on September 27th due to club circumstances."

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