Takehiro Tomiyasu left Arsenal in abrupt circumstances earlier this month.
The versatile defender suffered from relentless injury issues throughout the 2024/25 campaign, which saw him limited to just a five-minute cameo.
As a result of these fitness struggles, Arsenal reached an agreement with Tomiyasu to terminate his contract, ending his four-year spell in North London.
The Japanese international will now search for a new club, with a potential return to his home nation or a move to Saudi Arabia on the cards.
Takehiro Tomiyasu explains why he left Arsenal
Arsenal signed Tomiyasu for just £16 million back in the summer of 2021.
Arriving as something of an unknown quantity from Bologna, the right-back enjoyed an exceptional debut season in N5 and delivered consistently excellent performances in general across his 84 appearances in a red and white shirt.
However, injuries took their toll on the 26-year-old, and these problems eventually prompted Arsenal to cut ties with him this summer.
Tomiyasu bid farewell to Arsenal fans with a heartfelt Instagram message shortly after the news of his departure broke, although further details explaining his exit haven’t emerged until now.
Speaking on DAZN’s program Uchida Atsuto’s FOOTBALL TIME (via Goal), the former Sint-Truiden man went into detail about his sudden withdrawal from Mikel Arteta’s squad.
“It wasn’t a sudden decision to leave,” he said.
“First of all, I want to make it clear that my contract wasn’t terminated unilaterally, and I didn’t unilaterally say ‘I’m leaving’. We had a proper discussion and came to the conclusion that ‘this decision is best for me, for the club, and for everyone,’ so I’m leaving. It all ended amicably.
“I was there for four years, but I only played five minutes in the 2024-25 season, and I spent a whole year in rehabilitation. I was under a lot of stress and anxiety.
“To be honest, I wasn’t feeling like I was there anymore, and I was wondering, ‘Is this where my future is?’ (Did you want to change your environment?) Yes, I was, including a lot of things.
“After I decided to leave, I said my final goodbyes to the players, coaches, and staff. I went to the locker room or staff room one by one and said, ‘I’m leaving.’
“As I said my goodbyes to each and every one of them, I was reminded that I was loved, and that was when I was able to leave. I think that was a good thing. The players (teammates) were surprised, too, as I still had time left on my contract and I was injured.
“From my perspective, it’s the best timing, I’ll be free, and most importantly, the most positive thing about this decision is that it will allow me to focus on my rehabilitation and on myself.”
Arsenal fans will be devastated reading Takehiro Tomiyasu’s comments about his departure
Arsenal have signed Cristhian Mosquera to replace Tomiyasu, quickly moving for the Spaniard to plug the gap left by the departed star.
While Mosquera will replace Tomiyasu in a footballing sense, the new arrival will have a lot to do to replace the Japanese player from a sentimental standpoint amongst the fanbase.
Tomiyasu established himself as a fan favourite throughout his time in North London, garnering adoration from the Arsenal fanbase for his likeable demeanour and hard work on the pitch.
Whenever he was fit and available, he was an outstanding squad member for Arteta to have at his disposal, with his ability to play across the back four invaluable.
Arsenal supporters will be devastated hearing him talk about how it ended between the player and the club, with it being a major case of ‘what could have been’.
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