Mikel Arteta's decision to sign Takehiro Tomiyasu over Emerson Royal has been vindicated in recent weeks.
The Gunners were in need of a right-back in the summer before settling on Japanese international Takehiro Tomiyasu, who joined from Bologna for £17million on transfer deadline day back in August.
However, they had also been linked with Brazilian fullback Emerson Royal, who eventually joined local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, with The Athletic claiming that Arsenal's recruitment staff were keen to bring Emerson to the Emirates Stadium whilst coaching staff were left far from convinced, with Mikel Arteta and co concerned that he would not fit the Spaniard's system.
Emerson, who Spurs signed for £22.5million, has struggled since arriving in N17, failing to perform consistently for the Lillywhites, with head coach Antonio Conte already said to be keen to bring in a new right-wing-back, according to the Evening Standard.
The former Barcelona defender also struggled during Wednesday night's 2-0 loss to Chelsea in the first-leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, falling to complete a single dribble and losing possession 14 times.
On the other hand, Tomiyasu has started 16 league games for Arteta's side, tasting defeat on just four occasions whilst also registering an impressive eight clean sheets, performances that have caught the eye of former England international Lee Dixon.
“Well, I have sat back and I haven’t eulogised about him too much because I am very wary of players coming into the Premier League and starting well,” Dixon told Premier League Productions.
“Then it being a bit of a struggle and that might happen with him. But he has been massively effective in this position.
“Hugely effective with his athleticism. The way he gets about the pitch. The understanding of the game. The delivery. His strength. Pushing players off the ball.
“He’s never in no man’s land. He’s never in between the two positions. I think his positional play can be worked on going forward because he is forward-thinking.”
