Months after Arsenal exit, Takehiro Tomiyasu expresses strong wish to return to football

Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tamiyasu recently shared a message on his Instagram story. The Japanese player's contract with Arsenal was terminated in the summer, and he's been a free agent since.

Tomiyasu joined Arsenal from Bologna for a reported fee of €18.60 million in the season of 2021. He featured in various positions in defense and produced two goals and six assists in 84 appearances for the north London club. However, he picked up numerous injuries before his contract was mutually terminated in July this year.

Tomiyasu shared a photo of some training cones on a pitch on his Instagram story on Friday, October 10. The Arsenal man wrote in the caption in Japanese:

“I just want to come back soon! I want to play football! That’s all! I’ll do it.”

Tomiyasu had picked up a knee injury in pre-season in the summer of 2024. He returned in October that year but suffered another injury in that same knee in the first match back. He has been out of action ever since. Tomiyasu missed almost 100 matches due to injuries during his time at Arsenal.

Former Liverpool player defends Arsenal's playing style under head coach Mikel Arteta

Arsenal have fought for the Premier League title in the last three seasons but finished second each time. They are now in the title race again and leading the tale after seven matches this season. However, many fans and experts have accused Mikel Arteta of adopting an arguably pragmatic playing style, especially in big matches.

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, however, has said that he would've done the same thing if he were in Arteta's position. He explained:

"I would play exactly the way they're playing, the way they've come up and they're getting better and better in recent seasons [under Arteta]. I don't really agree with people thinking that they play negative football. They've got a great defence, great goalkeeper and that's probably the strength of their team.

"Some of the other big challengers like Liverpool and Manchester City have got better centre-forwards, maybe better attacking players. The strength of a coach is realising what your strength is and then getting the best out of your team. Mikel Arteta is absolutely doing that."

Arsenal sit one point above Liverpool in the Premier League table. They have maintained four clean sheets, one fewer than Newcastle United, and scored 14 goals, one less than Manchester City.