Mikel Arteta has admitted that Takehiro Tomiyasu’s ability to play as a central defender was a major factor behind their deadline day move.
Tomiyasu became Arsenal ’s sixth and final signing of an unprecedented summer which saw Arteta complete a major overhaul of his struggling squad.
Hector Bellerin became the 10th senior player to leave the club, when he joined up with Spanish outfit Real Betis.
That meant the Gunners had to bring in a replacement right-back and did just that, signing the Japan international in a deal worth a reported £17million.
The former Bologna defender joins Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale as Arteta was backed to the tune of more than £150m.
But the spending spree hasn’t borne immediate results, with the Gunners enduring a miserable start to the new Premier League campaign.
Heading into the first international break, Arsenal have lost all three games, conceding nine goals in the process and failing to score a single goal themselves.
Gunners boss Arteta is facing increasing scrutiny and knows he needs results, and fast, to continue being backed by Emirates chiefs.
The Spaniard took advantage of the international break this week by arranging a behind-closed-doors friendly against the side that beat them on the opening day, Brentford.
But a strong Gunners lineup had no such issues this time around, sweeping aside the Bees 4-0 at London Colney.
In the fixture, Arteta was able to call upon central defenders Ben White and Gabriel, who have missed fixtures due to illness and injury respectively.
He played the two centre-backs as part of a back three however, switching the shape from the one Arsenal have predominantly used in the last 12 months.
Arteta’s best spell in the dugout came at the end of 2020 when he played with a back three and wing-backs, helping them overcome Manchester City and Chelsea on the way to the FA Cup.
They would subsequently switch to four at the back, but have failed to replicate those kinds of performances in the months since.
But speaking after Tomiyasu’s arrival, Arteta alluded to his newest recruit’s versatility, particularly in a back three, as one of the biggest reasons for his transfer.
“We followed him for a while,” he told the club’s media team. “We needed a full back who could be very versatile, can play as a centre back, can play in a back three, Tomi has this capacity.
“He is 22 years old but he has some really good experience in Serie A and at international level and with the qualities we are looking for.”
