Mikel Arteta has praised Takehiro Tomiyasu for his recent performances, with the defender in strong form following the September internationals.
Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu had a slow start to the season, for a couple of reasons.
For the first two games of the campaign, Jurrien Timber had effectively taken Tomiyasu’s spot in the side, particularly with Arsenal opting to use an inverted right-back in Oleksandr Zinchenko’s absence.
Tomiyasu came into the side when Timber got injured, but just over 100 minutes of football later he’d picked up a red card and a suspension.
The 24-year-old missed the Fulham game with that suspension, and only came on as a late substitute against Manchester United. But the international break helped to turn things around.
Tomiyasu put in an impressive display in Japan’s 4-1 win over Germany in early September, and he returned with a couple of positive substitute appearances against Everton and PSV Eindhoven.
When William Saliba was subsequently ruled out of Arsenal’s League Cup tie against Brentford, Tomiyasu stepped into the side, and he was voted Player of the Match by Arsenal fans for a commanding display at the back.
Mikel Arteta spoke about the defender in his most recent press conference, insisting all he needs is some consistency now.
“I always say that I’m really confident the moment Tomi has consistency, because he’s going to be a tremendous asset for us,” Arteta said.
“He can play in any position in the backline, any formation in the backline – we don’t have a player like him. His defending is probably one of the best that I’ve seen in many situations.
“His principles and the way he applies them, the way he goes into duels. Now he needs a run of games that get him physically at his best.
“When Tomi is at his best, we’re going to have a player who is going to be so important for us.
“Especially the way he reads danger and the way he resolves urgent situations with a lot composure in the right way.
“He is a skilled defender but the way his body is built makes him a really complete player who is really difficult to run past. He’s always alert, he’s been raised and educated well, and is always super focused. For our defenders, that’s a big attribute.”