Takehiro Tomiyasu was a fan favourite during his time at Arsenal.
The Japan international was a tremendous player and produced a few outstanding performances under Mikel Arteta at the Emirates.
However, injuries ruined his career at Arsenal, and his contract was terminated last summer as a result.
What was your favourite Takehiro Tomiyasu memory?
How Takehiro Tomiyasu has fared since leaving Arsenal
Arsenal signed Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna in the summer of 2021, and he became an instant hit among the fans.
However, injuries limited the defender to just 84 appearances in four seasons, which is such a shame.
Tomiyasu suffered a terrible knee injury before the start of the 2024/25 season. That kept him out of action until October, but he got injured on his return after just a few minutes.
That proved to be the Japan international’s final game for the Gunners, as his contract was mutually terminated in July last year.
Tomiyasu spent the next five months without a club, but Ajax gave him a short-term deal in December.
The 27-year-old worked very hard to return to full fitness and made six appearances for the Dutch giants, three as a left-back and three in the heart of the defence.
However, after playing 73 minutes in Ajax’s last game before the international break, Tomiyasu had to withdraw from the Japan squad due to a hamstring injury.
“It’s part of the process,” he posted on Instagram after suffering his latest injury, which is just heartbreaking to see.
It remains to be seen how long Tomiyasu will be out for now. We hope it’s nothing serious because he is a fantastic player when he is fit.
Agree or disagree: Takehiro Tomiyasu would’ve been one of the best defenders in the world if he had no injuries
Takehiro Tomiyasu could’ve been an Arsenal superstar
If injuries didn’t exist, Tomiyasu would’ve been one of Arsenal’s best players.
The former Bologna man is capable of playing in all four defensive positions and also as a number six if required.
Tomiyasu is also ambidextrous, meaning he is comfortable with both feet.
Those traits are very rare to find, which is why we were convinced that he would become a superstar when he first joined Arsenal.
Sadly, like with Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere, injuries ruined Tomiyasu’s Gunners career.
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