Arsenal made just the one signing on transfer deadline day as they raided Bologna to sign Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu.
The Gunners were really lacking a right back, especially having allowed Hector Bellerin to go back to Spain with a loan move to Real Betis.
In the end, Edu went for Bologna star Tomiyasu, who was linked with a move to North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur for much of the summer.
A centre back or right back, Tomiyasu offers quite a defensive option at right back compared to the more attack-minded Bellerin.
The 22-year-old impressed in Italy having arrived from Sint-Truiden in 2019, and it turns out the defender almost joined Barcelona.
The Athletic cover the story of Tomiyasu’s rise, noting that he was in a Barcelona training camp at the age f just 11, but failed to win a deal.
After returning to Fukuoka, Tomiyasu ended up being compared to Sergio Busquets having played as a centre back or holding midfielder for Avispa Fukuoka.
The belief was that Tomiyasu’s style of play as a holding midfielder was similar to Busquets, dictating play with his control of the ball and passing ability.
Tomiyasu has settled more into a centre back or right back role, but this kind of comparison gives Mikel Arteta options.
Arteta was schooled at Barcelona himself and would no doubt love to have a player like Busquets helping Arsenal build attacks.
It may not come from the holding midfield role given that Tomiyasu will likely play further back, but we could see him playing a key role in starting attacks for the Gunners.
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