Takehiro Tomiyasu explains early Arsenal exit after injury nightmare in new interview | OneFootball

Japan defender mutually agreed to terminate Gunners contract a year early after playing just six minutes of football last season

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A knee issue restricted the Japan international to just six minutes of action in the 2024/25 campaign and he is due to be on the sidelines until the end of this year after undergoing surgery in February.

Tomiyasu’s injury woes led to him holding talks with Arsenal over ending his deal a year ahead of schedule.

The defender insists it was a mutual decision for him to leave early and he is now in a better place after cutting ties with Arsenal.

“It wasn’t a sudden decision to leave,” Tomiyasu told DAZN Japan. “First of all, I want to make it clear that my contract wasn’t terminated unilaterally, and I didn’t unilaterally say: ‘I’m leaving’.

“We had a proper discussion and came to the conclusion that: ‘This decision is best for me, for the club, and for everyone’. So I’m leaving. It all ended amicably.

“From my perspective, it’s the best timing. I’ll be free, and most importantly, the most positive thing about this decision is that it will allow me to focus on my rehabilitation and on myself.

“I was there for four years, but I only played five minutes in the 2024-25 season, and I spent a whole year in rehabilitation.

“I was under a lot of stress and anxiety. To be honest, I wasn’t feeling like I was there anymore, and I was wondering: ‘Is this where my future is?’

“After I decided to leave, I said my final goodbyes to the players, coaches, and staff. I went to the locker room or staff room one by one and said: ‘I’m leaving.’

“As I said my goodbyes to each and every one of them, I was reminded that I was loved, and that was when I was able to leave.

“I think that was a good thing. The players were surprised, too, as I still had time left on my contract and I was injured.”