Arsenal love Takehiro Tomiyasu’s versatility and he has now dropped a reminder that he can even play in midfield if needed.
The Gunners won on Sunday afternoon as they beat Nottingham Forest 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Arteta kept the faith with the same side that could only draw with Southampton last weekend.
That meant Takehiro Tomiyasu once again starting at left back despite natural left back Kieran Tierney being on the bench.
Arsenal love Takehiro Tomiyasu’s versatility
Tomiyasu has made that position his own of late having started there against Liverpool, being branded a ‘machine’ by Bukayo Saka after that win.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s injury has given Tomiyasu his chance having seen Ben White take his right back spot.
The second half of last season was difficult for Tomiyasu with injuries proving to be a real problem.
Arsenal fans loved his first half of the season though, making a big impact after a summer deadline day move from Bologna.
Tomiyasu played as a right back last season, left back this season and was a regular as a centre back in Italy.
That versatility is clearly valued by Mikel Arteta but there is another role Tomiyasu can fill if needed.
Tomiyasu has told The Sunday Mirror (30/10, p73) that he used to play as a holding midfielder back in Japan.
Tomiyasu emerged with his hometown club Avispa Fukuoka in Japan and split time between playing as a centre back and holding midfielder.
The 23-year-old moved on to Sint-Truiden in Belgium and was solely utilised as a centre back there before being tested as a full back at Bologna.
Tomiyasu admitted that he will play anywhere he is needed Arsenal but that reminder about his midfield capabilities is notable.
“When I was in Japan, I used to play as a number six,” said Tomiyasu. “I started playing as a full back three or four years ago in Bologna.”
“But it doesn’t matter where I play. I’m happy to play anywhere on the pitch – as long as I help,” he added.
Thomas Partey is playing as a holding midfielder but he doesn’t really have natural cover with Albert Sambi Lokonga suffering some growing pains in that area.
If Arteta is struggling for a midfielder or doesn’t think Lokonga can play that lone deep role, maybe Tomiyasu will come into his thinking.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
