Takehiro Tomiyasu ‘not satisfied’ with bench role, will ‘work harder’ | OneFootball

Takehiro Tomiyasu has used his time on international duty to give an interview about his role on the bench this season and he’s keen to get his starting spot in the side back.

Injuries to his calf have stunted Takehiro Tomiyasu’s recent time at Arsenal, with the defender only seeing 71 minutes of Premier League action this season.

The 23-year-old was not included in the first squad of the season, meaning Mikel Arteta had to turn to Ben White to fill in. The central defender has played well in the full-back role and, with Arsenal’s start to the season seeing them win six of their first seven, Tomiyasu has had to content himself with a place on the bench.

Speaking while on international duty with Japan, Tomiyasu said, “What is required in this league is quite high and I’m not satisfied.

“When you look at the players selected as starters in the Premier League games, you will understand what is required to be there. I will work hard in order to get my position back.”

Tomiyasu hasn’t played more than 26 minutes in a league game this season (that came against Aston Villa). He played 15 minutes against both Leicester and Bournemouth, one minute against Fulham, 10 against Manchester United and just four against Brentford in Arsenal’s most recent game.

He did, however, play the full 90 against FC Zurich in the Europa League.

Japan play USA at 1.25pm (UK) on Friday, 23 September at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf, before another friendly against Ecuador on Tuesday with a 12.55pm kick-off.