Ian Wright admits he’s ‘always happy’ to see one Arsenal player start

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Ian Wright admits he is ‘always happy’ to see Mikel Arteta start Takehiro Tomiyasu as the Arsenal defender delivers 8/10 performances ‘every week’ that he is in their team.

The 24-year-old has only opened four of the Gunners’ 13 fixtures so far this term. But Arteta gave Tomiyasu the nod as Arsenal beat Sevilla 2-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday. He replaced Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back following the 26-year-old’s hard time at Chelsea.

Arteta saw Raheem Sterling give Zinchenko the run around through the first half at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. So, the Arsenal boss hooked the Ukraine hero at the break and Tomiyasu entered the fray. His second-half display in west London sealed Tomiyasu the start at Sevilla.

Tomiyasu stepped up for Arsenal against Chelsea and Sevilla

Tomiyasu suppressed Sterling and near enough silenced Chelsea’s threat on the Blues’ right wing. He stepped up against Sevilla, as well. The 36-cap Japan defender showed real intent to support Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank but was also diligent to track back throughout.

Arteta watched in joy as Tomiyasu closed down Sevilla’s threat on his first start since Arsenal lost at RC Lens. The Fukuoka native opened the 2-1 Champions League defeat to the Ligue 1 side at right-back. He also started in their 1-0 Carabao Cup win at Brentford as a centre-half.

Wright is ‘always happy’ whenever Arteta starts Tomiyasu

Starting roles in Premier League games have been rare so far this season. Tomiyasu has only opened Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace. He started at left-back with Zinchenko returning from an injury and Jurrien Timber also out after sustaining an ACL injury on the opening day.

A controversial red card at Crystal Palace for two bookable offences would deny Tomiyasu a continued run in Arsenal’s line-up. But Gunners hero Wright is ‘always happy’ when he sees the £15.5m former Bologna brute make the XI as Tomiyasu locks down opposition attackers.

“I’m always happy to see Tomiyasu start because nothing is getting past him,” Wright said on his Wrighty’s House podcast. “He’s so reliable.

“His strength, positional awareness, when he gets on the ball, he has no problem passing the ball, progressing it. It’s very rare you see anyone get past him. He’s just a dependable player, 8/10 every week.”