Mikel Arteta has now pulled a U-turn over the future of Takehiro Tomiyasu at Arsenal amid Inter Milan showing interest in the Japan defender’s possible transfer to Serie A.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports that Inter Milan are in full agreement that Tomiyasu would improve manager Simone Inzaghi’s side. But Arteta has decided that he will now keep the 24-year-old after Arsenal received confirmation of Jurrien Timber’s ACL injury.
Emirates Stadium chiefs were previously open to the idea of selling Tomiyasu in the summer window. Timber joining Arsenal from Ajax in July strengthened Arteta’s options at right-back alongside Ben White. The Gunners also have several young talents, including Reuell Walters.
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Arsenal pull a U-turn over Tomiyasu’s transfer after Timber’s ACL injury
But Timber is now set to miss most of his debut Premier League campaign after suffering an injury on debut. So, Arsenal have pulled Tomiyasu off their transfer list to ensure Arteta has cover for White. The Fukuoka native can also deputise for Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back.
Inter Milan were in full agreement about targeting Tomiyasu’s transfer with Arsenal open to his departure previously. The Nerazzurri were also willing to bet heavily to agree terms with a €20m (£17m) offer possible. Further departures from San Siro may have boosted their bid.
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Injuries nearly cost the Inter Milan target a future at Emirates Stadium
Yet Arteta will now frustrate Inter Milan with Arsenal ready to reject all offers for Tomiyasu’s transfer after Timber’s injury. Arteta also demonstrated his trust in the 33-cap international last weekend. Tomiyasu came on against Nottingham Forest to replace Timber at left-back.
Tomiyasu is not unfamiliar with playing as a left-back having made sporadic outings from the position last season. Arteta even favoured the right-back for the role over Kieran Tierney last October after an injury to Zinchenko and he excelled against Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.
But the frequent injuries Tomiyasu has suffered since his transfer to Arsenal almost cost him a future at Emirates Stadium. The £15.5m arrival from Bologna in August 2021 shone at first to captivate White in north London. But he has since suffered several calf and knee injuries.
“Tomi does simple things at a world-class level,” White told DAZN Japan, via quotes by Goal, in January 2022. “Tomi is defensive and highly capable, while [Bukayo] Saka is aggressive. Saka dribbles past opponents but Tomi gives him the freedom to play in a good position.”