Arsenal fans are purring with anticipation after Takehiro Tomiyasu was granted a work permit and cleared to make his debut against Norwich City this weekend.
The Japan international sealed his £19m move from Serie A side Bologna on transfer deadline day and took part in his first training session at London Colney on Thursday afternoon following the international break.
Fans have already been impressed with Tomiyasu, calling him the 'second coming of Cafu' after his impressive performance during Japan's 1-0 victory over China on Tuesday, and are now excited to see him pull on an Arsenal shirt.
With his work permit now secured, that could even happen this weekend as the Gunners host Norwich City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
One fan wrote: "Make no mistake about it: in Tierney, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, White and Saliba, Arsenal have got one of the brightest stables of u-25 defenders in Europe.
"Each and every single one of them has a good chance of becoming a star, if they are not already."
In reply, another added: "Tomiyasu is superb and necessary business from Arteta, but Arsenal still need a right back.
"Tomiyasu is a central defender and is essentially a 3rd CB when starting at right back. Arteta will build the system around that dynamic, but his standard 4-2-3-1 still requires a RB."
Another wrote: "Hopefully Arteta selects Tomiyasu, really excited to see how he fairs.
"The role he performed at Bologna is stylistically similar to what he will be tasked with here, dropping into the backline to form a three and instructed to provide ball progression and defensive assurance."
Speaking before the work permit had been granted in his pre-match press conference, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta sounded rather optimistic about the process.
"We need a work permit first," the Spaniard confirmed. "The club is working hard to try and achieve that in the next couple of hours."
Explaining the decision to sign Tomiyasu, Arteta highlighted the Japan international's versatility and ability to solve the right-back problem as a major reason.
"Tomiyasu has the ability to play anywhere in a back four," Arteta added. "He gives us different qualities in that right-back position.
"He brings qualities that we didn't have in the squad."
