January decision on in-demand £20m Arsenal star now looks like an Edu masterstroke

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Takehiro Tomiyasu looks set to commit his long-term future to Arsenal.

Arsenal will soon have Takehiro Tomiyasu to call upon again, as Japan were recently knocked out of the Asia Cup. 

The defender has been away from the Emirates Stadium, competing in the international tournament, but can now return to north London.

What’s more, transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano recently revealed that Tomiyasu has agreed a new contract with Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta clearly values the £19.8 million former Bologna man highly, and it is easy to see why, as his versatility make him an incredibly useful option for the Spanish coach to have at his disposal. Tomiyasu can play in any position across the defensive line, and his two-footedness allows him to invert into the middle of the park when he is playing in a full-back role. 

That being said, the 25-year-old’s unreliable fitness record has proven to be something of an issue throughout his time at the club so far. There are many Arsenal fans who feel that Tomiyasu should not be handed fresh terms until he has proven that he can remain injury free for an extended period.

Why Arsenal have given Takehiro Tomiyasu a new contract now

Arsenal may feel that they had to give Tomiyasu a new contract now in order to protect their investment in the player. In the recent January transfer window, Tomiyasu was linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium, as Bayern Munich were credited with an interest in his services. 

Sporting director Edu opted not to cash in on the 41-cap Japan international, despite the Gunners being in need of cash themselves, as they only had a meagre transfer budget of their own to work with.

That decision to keep Tomiyasu at the club this winter now looks to have been an inspired one, though, especially given Oleksandr Zinchenko picked up a knock against Liverpool on Sunday.

It is unknown at this stage if the Ukrainian left-back will be out for any significant period of time, but with Jurrien Timber already sidelined, Tomiyasu could not have picked a better time to come back into the Arsenal fold.

Even if Zinchenko is ruled fit to return to action straight away, Tomiyasu will still have a big role to play for Arsenal between now and the end of the season. He is a more solid defensive presence than the former Manchester City man, and will get plenty of game time. The decision not to sell Tomiyasu in January was a smart one, and handing the player a new contract now may well prove to be some of the best business Arsenal do this season, as long as he can stay fit reliably enough repay the club’s faith in him.