Arsenal have reportedly decided to end their four-year association with injury-prone Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu ahead of the 2025/2026 season.
Tomiyasu made a big step up in his career when he joined the Gunners in the 2021 summer transfer window after impressing during a brief two-year stint with Italian Serie A side Bologna.
However, his time in North London didn’t quite go according to plan for neither club nor player. Despite displaying glimpses of his quality when given the chance to play, constant injuries prevented him from totally nailing down a spot in Arteta’s starting XI.
Last season, Tomiyasu managed just six minutes of action before a knee injury. In February, he underwent surgery on the affected knee and as a result, isn’t expected back on the pitch until December.
With his contract set to expire in 2026, Arsenal were keen to move him on this summer. But with no clubs willing to take a gamble on his fitness, BBC Sport reports the Gunners have decided to part ways and terminate his deal by mutual consent.
It’s a disappointing end for a player who was a valuable squad member during the 23/24 season, making 10 Premier League starts and often filling in at left-back. However, Arsenal aren’t short of defensive options and look set for life without him.
With the likes of Jurrien Timber, Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and Miles Lewis-Skelly all available at the beck and call of Mikel Arteta, it’s pretty evident that Arsenal are well covered in those defensive wide positions.
The Gunners’ focus for defensive recruitment is thought to be at center-back with Valencia’s Christian Mosquera one name that has been frequently mentioned as a potential target in recent weeks.
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