Arsenal star ‘ready to leave’ in January amid interest from three clubs, Arteta’s stance is clear

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One Arsenal star is now keen to move on from the Emirates Stadium. 

Arsenal will already be preparing for the upcoming January transfer window. 

Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu Gaspar will have a plan in place for how they wish to add to and improve their squad this winter. 

Meanwhile, they will also be aware that certain players could be moved on from the club this winter.

Players currently on the fringes of Arteta’s squad may use the January transfer window as an opportunity to pursue regular game time elsewhere.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is one such player.

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Takehiro Tomiyasu ready for Arsenal departure

The Japanese defender is yet to feature for the Gunners this season, as he is currently sidelined with an injury.

Fitness issues have been a persistent problem for Tomiyasu throughout his time at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal fans have expressed their concern about Tomiyasu’s injury record before, and it has certainly limited his ability to establish himself in North London. 

However, his recurrent fitness setbacks are not the only barrier between Tomiyasu and regular football. There is fierce competition for places in the Arsenal rearguard at this time.

Despite Tomiyasu’s versatility allowing him to slot in anywhere across the back line, he is arguably behind all of Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhaes in the pecking order.

Now, according to Calciomercato, Tomiyasu “is ready to leave” Arsenal this winter, amid interest from Napoli, Inter Milan, and Juventus. 

Whilst Arteta is a fan of the 25-year-old, he will not stand in the player’s way and will allow him to leave in January if the Gunners’ valuation is met.

Can Arsenal afford to let Tomiyasu go?

Whilst the Gunners are well-stocked when it comes to defenders, the recent injury crisis that Arteta has had to contend with will serve as a reminder of how important having strength in depth is. 

However, if Tomiyasu is unhappy at the club, then letting him depart, for the right price, is the correct thing to do. Arteta will not want a player at the club who is not entirely committed to his project.

What’s more, the funds raised from Tomiyasu’s sale could potentially be used to invest in a part of the pitch where the Gunners do not already boast such an abundance of options.