Takehiro Tomiyasu does everything well. So far in his young Arsenal career, he has been highly praised on his defensive work but sometimes criticised on his ability going the other way. On Saturday, the Japanese international delivered a performance that included the best of both worlds, going some way to dispel those criticisms.
Somehow, Tomiyasu has almost gone under the radar this season in some respects. Along with Arsenal’s other transfer successes, Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White and Sambi Lokonga among others, Tomiyasu has been incredibly consistent and raised the level of Arsenal’s right-hand side significantly.
In the previous game, Tomiyasu struggled. He was up against the combination of Tsimikas and Sadio Mane for Liverpool and had a poor game in a bad day for Arsenal. In his defence, very few full-backs don’t struggle against Liverpool but none-the-less, it was a day to learn from for the right-back. Faced with another tricky winger in Allan Saint-Maximin, many predicted Tomiyasu would be in for another tough day. The Newcastle winger has perhaps been the club’s only stand-out performer this season and regularly utilises his speed and ability to torment his opposite defender.
By the end of the 90 minutes however, many fans surely found them-self questioning if the Frenchman had even played. He was kept very quiet by the Arsenal defence and limited to very little by Tomiyasu. ‘Tomi’ as he has been dubbed by the Arsenal fanbase, won seven of his ten duels, making three tackles, one interception and two recoveries. It was a comprehensive display in the defensive department.
The Arsenal man clung to Saint-Maximin tightly and aggressively, fitting for Arsenal’s high press.
Tomiyasu displayed excellent awareness to prevent a pass which could’ve proved detrimental to Arsenal’s chances of winning the game.
Going forward
Tomiyasu isn’t the same profile of Trent Alexander-Arnold or Reece James in the sense that those players are a massive part of their respective club’s attacking out-put. However, the Arsenal full-back has become a key part of the way the team build up. Gabriel, White and Tomiyasu form a back-three when Arsenal go forward. Tomiyasu on the right of this back-three creates the option wide, allowing Arsenal to progress through the right flank.
Against Newcastle Tomiyasu was a constant presence going forward. He set up Martinelli’s goal with a beautifully weighted pass and could’ve easily had two or three more assists on another day too. Crosses found their mark for Aubameyang and Smith Rowe and Martinelli was sent through on goal with yet another through-ball late on, but the youngster couldn’t convert that time.
Bukayo Saka enjoyed a fantastic game also and is developing a fruitful partnership with his right-back. Unfortunately Arsenal’s build-up pattern often deters Tomiyasu from overlapping, leaving Saka sometimes isolated but it is to the young England star’s credit that he more often than not beats his man anyway.
Tomiyasu’s brilliant pass for Martinelli’s goal.
Overall, the Japanese right-back ended the game with three key passes, two successful dribbles, five crosses and one assist. It was a hugely successful day for Tomiyasu and perhaps his most significant in attacking contribution while wearing the Arsenal shirt.
With such consistency and accomplished play, it is very easy to forget Tomiyasu is just 23 years of age and whilst experienced, is still capable of bad days in the office that must be learnt from. As are many of the young players in this Arsenal squad.
In Tomiyasu, Arsenal have a young, consistent all-rounder who can grow to be an incredibly reliable and high-level member of their squad. For just 16 million pounds, the right-back deserves his place of recognition among this season’s other (early) transfer success stories.