Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has revealed that a 5-1 humbling at the hands of Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ England was the catalyst for his move to Europe.
The Japanese international became Arsenal’s final addition of the window this summer as he joined from Bologna on deadline day.
He has already made his first appearances for the Gunners - slender 1-0 victories against Norwich City and Burnley - and has impressed.
Before becoming an Arsenal player this summer, Tomiyasu had represented Italian outfit Bologna for two seasons, as well as Saint-Truiden of Belgium after starting his career in his homeland with Avispa Fukuoka.
The now 22-year-old made his first switch to Europe in 2018 as he swapped the J-League for the Belgian Pro League but has revealed that a 5-1 humbling at the hands of England’s Under-19 side back in 2015 convinced him that he was ready to make the switch.
"To play in Europe was also my dream and when I was 17, I played against England for the national team. We lost 5-1 and we couldn’t [do] anything," Tomiyasu told Arsenal's YouTube channel.
"In that moment, I felt like I had to play abroad. That’s why I moved to Belgium. I was happy to play in Europe.";
Lining up from the start for Japan, Tomiyasu intriguingly faced off with future Arsenal teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who was then in the midst of a loan spell with Ipswich Town in the Championship.
England cruised to victory on the day as former Gunners transfer target Tammy Abraham struck twice, whilst Josh Onomah and Patrick Roberts notched goals of their own.
Ex-Arsenal man Danny Crowley rounded off the scoring late on, whilst Kazune Kubota hit the only goal for Tomiyasu’s Japan.
