‘He Will Continue With Us’ – Mikel Arteta Quashes Tomiyasu Rumours

Mikel Arteta aims to keep Tomiyasu…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has poured cold water on reports linking Takehiro Tomiyasu with a move away, stating the 25-year-old will remain at the club.

Sky Germany reported this week that Tomiyasu was a prime target for European giants Bayern Munich as they look to add a versatile defender to their ranks.

The former Bologna man can play across the back four to a high standard, while he also operates as a left-sided centre-back for the Japanese national team.

Tomiyasu’s ambidextrous nature also adds to his flexibility and allows managers to operate him anywhere in the defensive third without altering their system.

Also, despite previous concerns over his fitness, Tomiyasu has been available for selection this season and has become a key player in recent weeks.

Arteta has started the defender in three of our last five games in all competitions, with the Spaniard opting for Tomiyasu to shore up the defence.

“I really want him to stay,” Arteta told the press ahead of the clash at Brentford.

“I value the player a lot, I really like him. I think he’s loved and respected by everybody at the club.

“He’s getting a lot of minutes now, he’s getting his availability to the level that we need for him to make an impact in the team and I think he will continue to be with us.”

Given that all the high-profile players who arrived in the same window as Tomiyasu have been given new contracts – or approached about a renewal – one wonders how much of this talk is agent-lead.

Tomiyasu’s current deal expires in 2025, though the club have an option to extend that further by another 12 months (via Transfermarkt). Also, having arrived from Serie A as a 22-year-old, he will be on a modest wage compared to his teammates.

If he can prove his fitness this term, extending his deal on a more lucrative wage is certainly something fans will approve of.