Arsenal have reportedly (h/t Guardian) agreed on a £17 million fee for versatile Bologna defender Takehiro Tomiyasu as they look to replace the outgoing Hector Bellerin who is headed to Real Betis.
The Gunners seem keen to bolster their defensive ranks after enduring their worst start to a season in nearly seven decades. They have lost their first three games of the 2021/22 campaign, conceding nine goals without a response.
Mikel Arteta, who is under immense pressure, has got the north London giants spending more than any other Premier League club and further wants to make additions to his squad.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, 22, has been with Serie A side Bologna since arriving from Belgian club Sint-Truiden in the summer of 2019. He made 31 Serie A appearances last season but has played just once for Bologna this season, coming on as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with Atalanta earlier this week.
Takehiro Tomiyasu to Arsenal—A good defensive option for Mikel Arteta?
Arsenal’s defensive vulnerabilities have been on show since the opening game of the season. None of the defenders have lived up to the standards in the opening three games, leaving the north London club rock bottom in the table.
Silly errors, lapses in concentration and lack of organisation at the back should ring alarm bells for Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff. Despite spending the best part of £130m on five signings this summer, the Gunners haven’t improved. If anything, they’ve gone backwards with Arteta’s job currently on the line.
Yet, the Spanish tactician has got the chance to do more business before Tuesday’s transfer deadline. With Hector Bellerin close to joining Spanish side Real Betis on a season-long loan and Ainsley Maitland-Niles asked to train on his own after his move to Everton fell through, the right-back area looks desperately short on numbers.
Tomiyasu is a versatile defender who can play at both centre-back and right-back, while his age profile suits the Gunners’ recruitment model moving forward. He is a strong, reliable and diligent defender with good distribution skills and reading of the game. The Japanese international is comfortable at going into wide areas to close down the opposition winger from progressing with the ball.
The 22-year-old is capable of playing short passes to midfielders, as well as long, diagonal accurate passes to the forwards. Tomiyasu is a player who could be a smart fit in the Arsenal backline that needs lifting and motivation after the horrific start to the 2021/22 campaign. Due to his versatility, he could be used in different positions and various formations by Arteta as per the opposition and game’s demands.
Tomiyasu would add quality to the Gunners’ right-back position while being a straight upgrade on Cedric Soares. Thus, Arsenal must quickly get the Japanese defender’s deal over the line.
