The summer of 2021 was the busiest an Arsenal fan has experienced. The most expensive summer in the club’s history and an indication of intent to take the team back to the Champions League.
It was a summer which, as has become typically the case, swarms of links to a plethora of players surfaced from all around the world but just six were signed in the end by Arsenal. The six have gone on to make huge improvements to the side however Takehiro Tomiyasu has stood out.
The relatively unknown Japanese international signed from Bologna on deadline day and became the immediate starting option for the Gunners.
His consistency, discipline and determination made him a fan favourite and has even made supporters forget the previous options that had been linked with the role.
One standout player was Emerson Royal. The Brazilian joined Barcelona in the summer from Real Betis but was still available for transfer with the Catalans having Sergino Dest and Sergi Roberto at the club.
Arsenal were linked with a move, but it was eventually Tottenham Hotspur that secured his services. The irony is that the Gunners’ north London rivals were heavily linked to Tomiyasu earlier in the window but never pushed to complete a deal.
This has proven a failure on Tottenham’s behalf with Tomiyasu far outplaying Emerson this season. The former Barca full-back has struggled under both Nuno Espirito Santo and in Antonio Conte’s system.
However, whilst the Arsenal happiness at their rivals’ frustration may exist now, Spurs are reportedly not resting on their potential error.
The club are now linked with a move for Brighton full-back and previous Arsenal target Tariq Lamptey. The Express claim that Conte's side are willing to fight it out with Arsenal for a reported £50m deal.
Arsenal were said to be ‘exploring’ the opportunity to sign the England youth international according to Duncan Castles on The Transfer Window Podcast.
“What you have here is Arsenal, who had an interest in Lamptey when he burst onto the scene before that difficult injury that you referred to,” said Castles.
“They are looking again to sign him and exploring the parameters of the deal.”
Lamptey would be far more suited to the right-wing back role that Conte relies upon and saw Achraf Hakimi excel so greatly in with Inter Milan.
Were Spurs to sign the young defender, the short-lived enjoyment of Emerson’s struggles by Arsenal supporters may soon turn to their own frustration.
Expect calls for the Gunners supporters for the club to continue ‘exploring’ their own move for the Brighton man to prevent their infamous rivals from signing him for themselves.
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