Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to react after stumbling across old footage of Takehiro Tomiyasu tackling Nicolas Pepe.
What’s the story?
Well, one supporter found footage of Japan taking on the Ivory Coast, where Pepe can be seen chasing a pass down the right flank.
Despite the £72m man’s rapid pace, Tomiyasu is able to outrun him, before turning the forward and looking to start an attack for his side.
In the background, Pepe can be seen walking off miserably as he knows he’s just been outclassed by Arsenal’s new £16m man.
The eight second footage portrays Tomiyasu in a great light.
He could’ve easily shielded the ball out of play, but he was keen to chop the ball behind him and look to get his side playing out from the back.
A mentality like that should work well in Mikel Arteta’s system, in which playing out from the back is crucial.
How should Arsenal use Takehiro Tomiyasu?
Thankfully for Arteta, Tomiyasu is able to play at centre-back or right-back.
That versatility, understandably, begs the question of where Arsenal should use their latest recruit.
In our view, Arteta should put Tomiyasu at right-back.
In Gabriel Magalhães and Ben White, the Gunners have two excellent, young centre-backs, although there isn’t as much quality at right-back.
After Hector Bellerin’s exit, Arteta only has Ainsley Maitland-Niles or Cedric – Tomiyasu is easily better than both of them.
The Japan international looks strong, positive in possession and also a surprisingly quick defender given his muscular frame.
Simply put, he has all the tools to thrive at the Emirates Stadium.
For now, let’s see what the Arsenal fans on Twitter have been saying about the old footage of Tomiyasu and Pepe…
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