Tomiyasu performance for Arsenal v PSV proves Arteta made correct loan call

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Takehiro Tomiyasu impressed for Arsenal from the bench against PSV Eindhoven.

Arsenal played their first Champions League match since 2017 against PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening. Defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was given a run out in the game by Mikel Arteta in the second half.

Oleksandr Zinchenko started the match at left-back, and impressed with his drive and use of the ball, as he typically inverted into the midfield zone when the Gunners were in possession.

Since his £32 million arrival in 2022, Zinchenko has revolutionised the way the left-back role is utilised by Arsenal. Prior to his arrival, Kieran Tierney was the Gunners’ first choice in this position but, whilst being a fine player, is a much more traditional example of a full-back.

Tierney struggled to mimic Zinchenko’s inverted style and ultimately fell down the pecking order. The Scottish international joined Spanish side Real Sociedad on loan in the recent summer transfer window.

Given Zinchenko’s patchy fitness record, it was a risk to let Tierney go. However, Tomiyasu proved against PSV that he can excel when adopting the Ukrainian’s inverted left-back role.

Tomiyasu evolving at Arsenal

The versatile 24-year-old defender came on in place of Zinchenko in the 58th minute. In just over half an hour on the pitch, Tomiyasu regularly roamed into midfield and looked comfortable on the ball and playing progressive passes up the pitch.

According to WhoScored’s statistics, the 34-cap Japan international completed 88.9% of his passes against PSV, including one key pass.

If Tomiyasu can prove to be a reliable back up for Zinchenko throughout the campaign, and can fulfil the same tactical function in the team, then it will be clear that there was no danger for Arteta in letting Tierney go.

Since his £19.8 million arrival from Bologna in 2021, Tomiyasu has impressed at Arsenal with his versatility and work rate. He now appears to be evolving his game even further.