Takehiro Tomiyasu shares what Lens player said to him during Arsenal loss

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Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has revealed what the Lens goalkeeper said to him at a key moment in Tuesday evening’s match.

French side Lens earned a 2-1 win against Arsenal in their Champions League group stage clash on Tuesday evening. The Gunners were the architects of their own downfall, as they produced a performance littered with individual errors, and missed key chances of their own.

One of those goal-scoring opportunities fell the way of Takehiro Tomiyasu. In the second half, the 24-year-old Japan international got on the end of an Arsenal corner, but could only direct his effort directly at Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba.

Tomiyasu has now shared what Samba said to him after making the save. Speaking to the official Arsenal website, the versatile £19.8 million man said, “he goalkeeper [Samba] told me it was a lucky moment because he didn’t react. I needed to put it into the net but I’ll have to score the next one.”

Tomiyasu amongst misfiring Arsenal stars

Chances to get on the scoresheet don’t come around all too often for Tomiyasu. Having now represented the north London club on 60 occasions across all competitions, he is still yet to open his account for the Gunners. He will rue failing to get off the mark against Lens. Mikel Arteta will be regretting his side’s profligacy in front of goal in general.

Arsenal will need to be far more clinical against Manchester City on Sunday if they are to stand any chance of pulling off a positive result at the Emirates Stadium. 

It now also looks like they’ll have to negotiate that game without the services of Bukayo Saka, after he sustained an injury against Lens. The loss of the 22-year-old is a major blow for Arsenal.

It remains to be seen if Tomiyasu is handed a start against Pep Guardiola’s side. Even if he is left out of the starting line up, he is likely to be introduced from the bench by Arteta at some stage.