Arsenal have completed the signing of defender Takehiro Tomiyasu from Italian side Bologna in a deal worth €20 million plus €3 million in add-ons.
It seemed a certainty at one point this summer that Tottenham Hotspur would secure a move, but, in the end, nothing was completed, and they opted to sign Atalanta defender Cristian Romero. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, however, and, as Spurs seemingly ended their pursuit, Arsenal came swooping in.
The Bologna defender can play both right-back and centre-back, which will be crucial for Mikel Arteta, especially with Hector Bellerin off to Real Betis and Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ discontent no longer a secret.
Tomiyasu will undoubtedly improve the current backline, and add further youth to it.
Arsenal Sign Takehiro Tomiyasu
Welcome to The Arsenal, Takehiro Tomiyasu 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/trL4Wq7zXW
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 31, 2021
Busy Day for Arsenal
Having endured the worst start possible to the Premier League season, sitting bottom heading into September with zero goals to their name, Arsenal must get deadline day right. It is clear that they need to clear deadwood; it is clear that they needed fresh faces, making for a busy final day of the summer window. Despite already outspending every other Premier League club, the deal to sign Tomiyasu suggests that the Gunners are far from done.
With Premier League football on pause, the defender will have time to prepare before the pressure mounts in front of his new fans. Arsenal’s next game is against Norwich City, who are also sitting on zero points, giving Arteta’s side their biggest chance yet of securing all three points. If they fail to do so against the Canaries, then the Gunners hierarchy may have no choice but to dismiss Arteta.
Saying goodbye to Bellerin, if he completes his move, whilst welcoming Tomiyasu is good business by Arsenal. They’re crucially swapping the old for the new, making a significant upgrade in the process.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
