How Barcelona actually helped Mikel Arteta to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu for Arsenal

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Takehiro Tomiyasu recently signed a new contract to extend his stay at Arsenal, and when fit, is an outstanding option in defence.

The 25-year-old’s versatility and intelligence makes him an ideal player for Mikel Arteta, who signed Tomiyasu from Bologna in 2021.

Despite his injury issues, Tomiyasu has been a successful addition overall, but it may not have been possible were it for Spanish giants FC Barcelona.

Tomiyasu once featured for a Barcelona academy side set up in Fukuoka in Japan, where he was then placed on their radar after impressing in a tournament as a child, but the club did not sign him, freeing him up to follow his path which eventually led him to Arsenal.

Barcelona could have signed Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu

When Tomiyasu impressed in the Barcelona Soccer Academy in Fukuoka, he went on to eventually captain the side, but a deal could not be agreed to sign him and bring him to Spain.

Former Barcelona youth coach Ivan Palanco later admitted that he had been impressed by the defender, and lamented the lack of ability to complete a transfer.

“He had great coordination for his height. He had great qualities. He is one of the three players that I recommended to Barça during my three years [at Fukuoka], but it was difficult to take him to Spain,” he claimed.

“It was difficult to bring elementary school students to Spain, and the story fell apart, but that’s it. He was a player who had the potential to play.”

Barcelona’s loss was Arsenal’s gain over Takehiro Tomiyasu

After his failed move to Barcelona, which could have seen him join some outstanding talents at La Masia, Tomiyasu eventually broke through within the J-League and developed both his physical and his mental traits.

Arsenal eventually signed him from Serie A as a 22-year-old, and he settled quickly, and is now a fan favourite within the squad despite his lack of regular minutes.

To play for Barcelona, even at youth level, you need a strong sense of tactical intelligence and good technique, and Tomiyasu is gifted in both departments.

This makes him ideal for Arteta, as a versatile defender capable of stepping into a variety of different positions and roles with ease, and his new contract was a deserved one despite his injury issues.