Takehiro Tomiyasu impressed at centre-back for Japan against Germany on Saturday, leading some to question whether he should play there for Arsenal.

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan blocks a shot from Leroy Sane of Germany inside the box during the international friendly match between Germany and Japan at Volkswagen Arena on September 09, 2023. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan blocks a shot from Leroy Sane of Germany inside the box during the international friendly match between Germany and Japan at Volkswagen Arena on September 09, 2023. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

Germany took on Japan in a friendly match over the weekend, with Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu starting for the away side.

Whilst Tomiyasu is generally used in a full-back role for Arsenal, often at right-back but also sometimes at left-back, the defender has a different role for his country, playing as a left-centre-back.

Germany are generally considered to be one of the top footballing countries, but Japan made light work of them in a 4-1 victory, with Tomiyasu putting in a starring defensive performance.

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan reacts during the international friendly match between Germany and Japan at Volkswagen Arena on September 09, 2023. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Japan reacts during the international friendly match between Germany and Japan at Volkswagen Arena on September 09, 2023. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

The Arsenal man made six clearances, three interceptions, blocked one shot, and made one tackle, but he was just as impressive on the ball, completing 86% of his passes including six of 11 long balls.

The footage of the game shows Tomiyasu looking comfortable and composed at centre-back, raising questions about his Arsenal role.

https://twitter.com/Lhastim3/status/1700625929729352107

Mikel Arteta was somewhat forced into using Tomiyasu on the left at the start of this season, with Oleksandr Zinchenko not fully fit, and Jurrien Timber picking up an injury.

But now that Zinchenko is available on the left and Ben White is starting on the right, perhaps Tomiyasu could be a more serious option in the middle.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco at Emirates Stadium on August 02, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AS Monaco at Emirates Stadium on August 02, 2023. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

There’s tough competition in the Arsenal defence right now, with Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba starting and Jakub Kiwior as another option at left-centre-back.

Yet as the season goes on and the fixtures are coming thick and fast, players will need rests, and Tomiyasu is proving he can be a good option all the way across the back four.