Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu has been out injured for a while – but now he's facing a shakeup at the Emirates Stadium
(Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is set for what one report calls a "permanent switch" following the arrival of a competitor in his position.
The Gunners have been frenetic in the early weeks of the summer to complete deals for Kai Havertz and Declan Rice, with the latter yet to be formally announced. Another player arriving is Jurrien Timber, who plays at centre-back and right-back.
With Mikel Arteta currently having Ben White as his first-choice option at right-back and both White and William Saliba as options for the right-sided centre-back, Timber adds depth to that position – potentially pushing Tomiyasu down the pecking order.
Jurrien Timber of Ajax looks set to replace Tomiyasu as a backup right-back (Image credit: Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
The Japanese filled in at left-back in Oleksandr Zinchenko's absence last season, with Arteta seeing him as an option inverting from that side. Tomiyasu is naturally right-footed – though extremely ambipedal.
With Kieran Tierney expected to leave Arsenal this summer, it is possible that Tomiyasu plays more at left-back next term – though injury problems have hampered his Gunners career so far.
Jakub Kiwior is also an option in that position as a left-sided centre-back who can fill in at full-back.
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Kieran Tierney's exit could facilitate a change in role for Tomiyasu (Image credit: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Arsenal's only other centre-back, Rob Holding, may leave the club permanently this summer, too.
Tomiyasu is valued by Transfermarkt to be worth €25 million.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
