Ao Tanaka hands Leeds United fitness boost after Japan duty ahead of Arsenal | OneFootball

Ao Tanaka has come through Japan’s international window unscathed, handing Leeds United a timely fitness boost before Arsenal.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, Tanaka started on Thursday alongside Mainz midfielder Kaishu Sano, after coming off the bench in wins over Uruguay and Venezuela last week during a trio of home friendlies.

He played 79 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Ecuador at Nissan Stadium, Yokohama.

Chances were scarce, though Tanaka kept play moving, clipped passes wide and tidied up potential counters. Both coaches made changes after the break and Tanaka was replaced in the 79th minute by Daizen Maeda.

Japan finished the window unbeaten with two late wins and a draw. Tanaka made three appearances, one from the start, for a total of 138 minutes.

His withdrawal was not injury related, so he should return to West Yorkshire fit and firing. He had impressed for Leeds beforehand, starting the last three Premier League matches. With well over a week before the journey to London, a brief breather should follow.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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