Takehiro Tomiyasu says Arsenal’s success this season is due to better understanding of manager Mikel Arteta’s tactics.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, the Japanese international who joined Arsenal from Bologna in 2021, has revealed the true secret behind the north London club’s impressive form this season in an exclusive interview with Goal.

The Gunners are currently sitting at the top of the Premier League, five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, with a game in hand. With 50 points from 19 games, this is the best start to a season for an Arsenal side in history.

Tomiyasu says the team understands Arteta’s style better this season, resulting in improved performance, only losing one match in the Premier League this season, and beating top teams such as Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Man Utd.

“We understand more [about] Mikel’s football,” Tomiyasu said.

“We’ve got depth, we’ve got some new players, but the biggest thing is we understand Mikel’s football more than last season.

“Last season we understood. But we couldn’t express it. This season we understand and we are showing how he wants us to play. This is the big difference.

Tomiyasu, who has mostly been used as a bench player this season, admitted that he has to accept the reality that he is currently the understudy to England international Ben White.

White has been performing exceptionally well, and Tomiyasu says that the only way he can prove his worth is by showing what he can do when he gets the chance to play.

“You have to accept the reality,” Tomiysau said.

“Of course I want to play from the start.”

“I just want to help the team. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing from the start or not. When I’m on the pitch I give everything.”

The 24-year-old has featured in 24 games in all competitions, but most of his starts have come in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions, while his Premier League appearances have mostly been from the bench.