Southampton player now names £20m Arsenal star as ‘the best’ after facing him at the Emirates

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Arsenal continued their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a win over Southampton at the Emirates.

For the second consecutive week, Arsenal were handed a scare at home by a newly promoted side. 

After scoring late to beat Leicester City on match day six, the Gunners had to come from behind to overcome Southampton.

Mikel Arteta’s side got the job done thanks to second half goals from Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, cancelling out Cameron Archer’s opener. 

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Southampton player praises Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu

It was a day to remember for several Arsenal stars, who captured the attention of many with their brilliance against the Saints. 

One was undoubtedly Saka, who not only scored but set up both Martinelli and Havertz’s goals, playing a crucial role in his side’s victory.

While Saka stole the show, it was another member of Arteta’s squad who earned high praise, as Takehiro Tomiyasu made his return from injury. 

For the first time this season, the defender was available to the manager in the Premier League, coming on in the 84th minute to announce his return.

After the game, Tomiyasu was applauded by Southampton’s Yukinari Sugawara, who commented on the Arsenal ace’s Instagram post.

“Back. Thank you for your support Gunners,” Tomiyasu wrote, to which his international teammate Sugawara responded, “the best.”

It was the perfect return for the Arsenal fullback, who was able to experience a win at the Emirates after missing the start of the campaign.

Tomiyasu returns at the perfect time

After signing Riccardo Calafiori in the summer, fused with the return of Jurrien Timber, Tomiyasu’s claim to game time significantly reduced.

That being said, the Japan international’s importance in the squad remains the same, as seen against the Saints when Arteta called him into action.

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With Timber and Ben White unavailable, the manager rotated and opted to utilise Thomas Partey on the right side of the back four, making Tomiyasu’s return all the more celebratory.

Being a player able to cover in central defence and on either side at fullback, the £20m 2021 signing is poised to play an important role this season, with the hope that he can remain fit.