Arsenal break transfer record with sixth summer signing

Arsenal have been busy this summer window. We can justifiably aim criticism at the board for a whole host of different reasons but that doesn’t mask the fact that no less than six players have walked through the Emirates Stadium doors.

It feels like an age since Nuno Tavares was the first player to make his way to north London as Mikel Arteta’s first signing of the window just over seven weeks ago, and now, on the eve of the 11PM transfer deadline, a sixth member has arrived.

Confirming the signing of Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna on the official Arsenal website, Arteta has brought in a defender he keenly desired to fill a position that the four options at the club were not felt suitable at doing.

With Cedric the worst of the lot, Calum Chambers not at the standard required, Hector Bellerin having left on loan to Real Betis and Ainsley Maitland-Niles staying to play some part, the Japan international comes in with the aim of solving a problem area.

Arsenal break transfer record with sixth signing as Takehiro Tomiyasu’s £16m arrival from Bologna takes summer spending to £150m

Mikel Arteta hailed the signing, insisting Tomiyasu was a player the club were delighted to bring in. He will wear the No. 18 shirt.

"“Takehiro is a strong defender with good experience in Serie A and at international level,” he said.“He’s a versatile defender with great defensive qualities, high technical ability and composure on the ball. He will be an important member of our squad. We look forward to Takehiro joining up with us when he returns from international duty.”Technical director Edu added: “We’re delighted to have signed Takehiro. We’ve been watching him for a while now and we’re pleased that we have reached an agreement with Bologna. He is an important addition to our squad.”"

Aaron Ramsdale, Tavares, Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Martin Odegaard have already joined to the tune of £130m, and following the capture of the Japan international, Arsenal’s spending how now taken them up to around the £148m mark.

Despite no European football and consecutive eighth place finishes, Arsenal have set a new club record for expenditure in a single summer window, surpassing the 2019/20 figure which sat at roughly £145m. It was one largely made up by Nicolas Pepe’s £72m acquisition.

A ‘big’ window was due and tipped before the summer began, and six signings worth a club record spend certainly constitutes that.

Importantly now, however, welcome aboard to Takehiro!