Takehiro Tomiyasu has won the Arsenal Player of the Month award for October, following his first goal for the Gunners.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team's fifth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal celebrates after scoring the team’s fifth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 28, 2023. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Arsenal have confirmed Takehiro Tomiyasu as their Player of the Month for October, with the defender earning a huge 64% of the fan votes.

Tomiyasu fought off competition from Declan Rice, Gabriel Jesus, and Bukayo Saka for the monthly award, the first time he’s won it in over two years.

The defender played a new inverted-left-back role against Chelsea and Sevilla to good effect in October, before scoring his first Arsenal goal against Sheffield United. His adaptability was certainly vital to the Gunners.

Arsenal's Japanese defender #18 Takehiro Tomiyasu reacts prior to the English League Cup third round football match between Brentford and Arsenal at the Brentford Community Stadium in London on September 27, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s Japanese defender #18 Takehiro Tomiyasu reacts prior to the English League Cup third-round football match between Brentford and Arsenal at the Brentford Community Stadium in London on September 27, 2023. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

As mentioned, Tomiyasu won the award ahead of Rice, which is rather amusing given Rice is currently up for the Premier League’s October Player of the Month award.

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Arsenal fans have certainly enjoyed Rice’s performances in recent matches, but perhaps Tomiyasu’s dependability and how often he’s been underrated by the wider footballing world helped swing the vote in his favour among Gunners fans.

Tomiyasu’s increasing importance in the team is triggering more attention from his home country. There are an increasing number of people watching Arsenal games and even betting on the premiere league from Japan these days.

arsenal fc v sheffield united premier league 2
LONDON, ENGLAND: Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal scores the team’s fifth goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 28, 2023. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

As for the other nominees, Jesus largely earned his nomination with excellent performances in the Champions League, scoring against Lens before a fantastic goal and assist away to Sevilla.

The centre-forward impressed out wide in Saka’s absence against former club Manchester City, and he also got a start in the 2-2 draw against Chelsea, but missed the Sheffield United win through injury.

Saka continued his strong early-season form in October, setting up Jesus’ goal against Lens and Leandro Trossard’s late equaliser against Chelsea.

The winger then pulled on the captain’s armband against Sheffield United, and it was his corner eventually turned in for Eddie Nketiah’s second goal.

Finally, Rice perhaps had his best month yet for Arsenal, scoring a long-range goal against Chelsea and assisting goals against Sevilla and Sheffield United, as well as playing the full 90 minutes of the win over Manchester City.

But this time it was Tomiyasu who received deserved recognition for his strong recent performances.

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