Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on the future of Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu made his return to first team action after his latest injury lay-off against Fulham on Sunday.
Whilst the Japan international struggled to impact the match off the bench as the Gunners slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage, he has generally been in impressive form this season. Many Arsenal fans have urged Mikel Arteta to give Tomiyasu more game time at times this season.
It certainly seems that the Spanish coach appreciates what Tomiyasu brings to this Arsenal squad. The £19.8 million former Bologna man’s versatility makes him a particularly useful asset to the north London club. The 25-year-old can play in any position across the back four and is fairly two-footed.
So far this season, Tomiyasu has particularly impressed at left-back, where he has often been able to effectively replicate Oleksandr Zinchenko’s inverted style of play, moving into the middle of the park to offer additional creativity, whilst still offering a more reliable and solid defensive presence than the Ukrainian provides.
The biggest issue with Tomiyasu is his injury record. He has been restricted to just 13 Premier League appearances so far this season due to injury, and has missed out on significant chunks of the last two campaigns as a result of fitness concerns.
However, Arsenal and Arteta are clearly willing to look beyond this issue, as they are seeking to tie the 37-cap Japan international down to a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal taking action to tie down Takehiro Tomiyasu
According to Fabrizio Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, “conversations between Arsenal and Tomiyasu are advancing to the final stages to sign a new contract very soon.”
“So Tomiyasu is staying. He’s not going to Milan, to Roma, to Napoli, any rumours about a potential deal for Tomiyasu, no. Tomiyasu is part of Arsenal’s project. And the idea is to extend his contract, so proceeding in that way.”
“For Tomiyasu and Arsenal, there is big optimism.”
Arteta will now be hoping that Tomiyasu can quickly get back to his best and stay fit for the rest of the season. Given Zinchenko’s recent struggles with form, Tomiyasu now has a great chance to establish himself as the clear first-choice left-back in the Arsenal squad.
This is likely not the only business Arsenal will be looking to do with regard to their defensive contingent in the coming weeks. The injury to summer signing Jurrien Timber and Tomiyasu’s unreliable fitness record has left the Gunners short on defensive options. Bolstering this part of the squad has to be a priority for the club in the January transfer window.
In the meantime, though, news of Tomiyasu’s new contract being on the way will likely be a welcome development amongst Arsenal fans.
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