Takehiro Tomiyasu has impressed for Arsenal this season but he has branded the campaign ‘tough’ having been through a tricky 2022.
Arsenal swooped to sign Tomiyasu back on deadline day in August 2021.
It was long expected that Tottenham would be signing Tomiyasu from Italian club Bologna.
Fabio Paratici had a £15million deal in the pipeline and Tomiyasu looked Tottenham-bound.
Tottenham instead pivoted to signing Emerson Royal from Barcelona instead, leaving Arsenal to move in for Tomiyasu.
Arsenal paid a similar fee – £15.5million – to bring the Japan international to North London after all.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has impressed for Arsenal
Tomiyasu had played at centre back or right back in Italy but it quickly became clear that Arsenal wanted him to play at right back.
Tomiyasu’s debut was hailed as ‘fantastic’ by Ian Wright and he looked primed for a huge season.
Solid and dependable defensively, Tomiyasu was also able to support Bukayo Saka well going forward.
However, 2022 has proven to be something of a problem for Tomiyasu.
Injuries have been a constant problem for Tomiyasu and there have been a couple of false downs in terms of a return.
Tomiyasu only managed seven appearances for Arsenal since the turn of the year and was missing against Everton on Sunday.
The 23-year-old should still have a bright future at Arsenal and Mikel Arteta will be keen to get to the bottom of these injury problems this summer.
With his first season of English football now done, Tomiyasu has taken to Instagram to reflect.
Tomiyasu has admitted that this has been a ‘tough season’ for him amid those injury problems.
The Japanese ace added that he ‘will be stronger’ next season, seemingly believing that he can play regularly next term.
That’s what Mikel Arteta wants, but the injury issues may just leave Arsenal considering another right back signing this summer – though much will depend on Cedric Soares too.
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