Takehiro Tomiyasu: Arsenal's Swiss Army knife sees journey end on a sad note after injury nightmare | OneFootball

Takehiro Tomiyasu was a player valued highly by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta

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It was around two years ago that Mikel Arteta lavished Takehiro Tomiyasu with a level of praise that underlined his importance to Arsenal.

That time was one of Tomiyasu’s best periods at Arsenal and, shortly after Arteta’s comments, he won the club’s Player of the Month award for October. He also scored his first goal for Arsenal and dedicated it to his mother, who had passed away the previous year.

Arsenal and the Japan international have agreed to mutually terminate his contract early, which was due to expire next year.

It is a disappointing end for a player who promised so much during his early days and, when fit, was a valuable option for Arsenal.

Capable of playing anywhere across the defence, Tomiyasu was a ‘Swiss Army knife’ player and someone Arteta valued highly.

“I always say that I’m really confident the moment Tomi has consistency, because it’s going to be a tremendous asset for us,” said Arteta in September 2023.

“His defending is probably one of the best that I’ve seen in many situations. When Tomi is at his best, we’re going to have a player who is going to be so important for us.”

Mikel Arteta recognised Takehiro Tomiyasu’s defensive qualities

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Unfortunately for Tomiyasu and Arsenal, injuries prevented him from having the chance to truly prove his worth.

The website Transfermarkt calculate that Tomiyasu spent 690 days out injured while at Arsenal, missing out on over 100 games for club and country.

Across his four years at Emirates Stadium, the 26-year-old managed 84 appearances and so often injury struck at the worst time.

During the 2022-23 season, when Arsenal were fighting for the title, Tomiyasu injured his knee against Sporting Lisbon in March.

The injury ended Tomiyasu’s season and it was hammer blow for Arsenal, who lost Saliba to a back problem in the same game.

Had Tomiyasu stayed fit, he would have filled in at centre-back for the rest of the campaign. Instead, without Saliba and Tomiyasu, Arsenal’s defence fell apart and their title charge collapsed.

The following season, Tomiyasu was rewarded with a new contract but calf injuries troubled him before and after the Asia Cup in the middle of the campaign, forcing him to miss 13 games.

Last season, however, proved to be the defender’s toughest time. He injured his knee in pre-season and had to miss the tour to the US.

Tomiyasu recovered and returned to full training, but then the injury returned after just six minutes off the bench against Southampton in October.

Takehiro Tomiyasu made just one appearance for Arsenal last season

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

More rehabilitation work took place until, in February, it was decided Tomiyasu would have to undergo surgery. He is not due to be fit until the end of the year.

It has not been an easy time for Tomiyasu, as Arteta made reference to at the time of his surgery, and periods of his rehabilitation have been spent away from the club. The idea being that a change of scenery may help him.

“When you understand what he does during the day, just as preparation for the next day and being in the best possible condition and when injuries are denying you that ability to play and fulfil the purpose that you have in your career it’s very, very tough,” said Arteta.

“He knows hopefully that we are all here, we have all been trying to help him, but it’s tough and he needs to go through that and a lot of moments, because I’ve been there, where it’s a very lonely process.”

His defending is probably one of the best that I’ve seen in many situations

Mikel Arteta

Arteta says that for Tomiyasu “his life is football” and the hope is that the defender can get back on track after leaving Arsenal.

None of the parties involved would have wanted the Japan international’s time in north London to end like this.

It is a sad ending to a journey that promised so much.