Arsenal: 4 positives of Takehiro Tomiyasu transfer

Setting out their stall for the summer transfer window, the list of positions that needed filling were as clear to those in charge of Arsenal as they were to those paying good money to watch mediocrity each week.

Mikel Arteta inherited a mess that he has helped contribute to with ill-advised tactical decisions, supplemented by further errors of judgement from those around him.

Years of failings have been added to, all which culminated in a summer transfer window with an outrageous amount of work to complete. Major trimming of the squad was required just as wholesale additions were needed to edge Arsenal back towards being a competitive side again.

In the end six new faces walked through the Emirates doors to hopefully act as the springboard that will push the side back up the Premier League table.

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4 positives of Takehiro Tomiyasu transfer addition as Arteta secures sixth summer signing of busy window for Arsenal

Takehiro Tomiyasu was the final piece of a large and complicated puzzle.

With plenty more to do in the windows to come, all this summer’s work is nonetheless complete and while the defender may be last up on the arrivals list (was tracked over the summer), his signing can be one of the most important.

Interest was there earlier in the transfer window with Arsenal finally making their minds up on the eve of deadline day, parting with an initial £16m to bring the 22-year-old to north London from Bologna.

Not a great deal is known about him from fans of the Premier League. It’s a left-field signing in the sense of him not being a household name, but not at all in the sense of being what Arteta wants in a right-back. There are plenty of positives from this acquisition looking at the deal at what it is: someone who is yet to kick a ball for Arsenal.

1. Tomiyasu is Exactly Who Arteta Wanted

As revealed by The Athletic, Tomiyasu is very much Arteta’s man. He really wanted this addition. The same can be said for all the signings this summer, which leaves the manager with nowhere to hide, but for someone with clear method of playing out from the back the stylistic fit makes this signing feel even more important.

Well documented now is how Arteta wants Arsenal to build out from the goalkeeper with three central defenders. Even if the lineups have read 4-2-3-1 for a number of months, the setup in possession, like so many teams, bears little resemblance to that.

As a central defender who has become a ‘hybrid’ operator, shifting between central defence and right-back during his career, Tomiyasu fits the bill of what Arteta desires from the right-back position to complement the Gunners’ opposing flank.

Bringing in a ‘right-footed Tierney’ would have been a transitional accident waiting to happen. Arsenal would have been caught cold numerous times. In Tomiyasu, Arteta has a right-back comfortable with moving infield to form part of a back three and also slot onto the right of a back four out of possession. It’s a role he fulfilled for Bologna.

Cedric can’t master this role, Bellerin tried but it wasn’t suited to his style and Chambers’ lack of pace and technical security mean he is too often caught out tracking runners or defending in one-on-ones. Tomiyasu’s two-footedness also aids build up.

2. Tomiyasu Can Play Across the Back Four

Does Arteta’s use of Sead Kolasinac at centre-back in the previous two matches in place of Pablo Mari indicate his trust in the Spaniard has fizzled out? Quite possibly.

There is fear every time he plays in the heart of defence now and should Gabriel lose form or be out absent, that worry will return.

Being competent with both feet and flexible across the backline, Tomiyasu can provide the cover Arsenal sorely need in almost all of the back four positions. Playing in all of the four slots across the defence, for his country he lines up alongside Maya Yoshida in a back four by playing on the left of the two.

Given the way the season has panned out for some, that is reassuring.

Of course, we hope it doesn’t come to that. He’s been signed as a right-back and right-back is where he should be playing. However, what if White is absent again and not just Gabriel? It’s a move that can help segue away from Rob Holding and Mari who may depart in 12 months’ time – two players who are no more than backups in this squad.

Versatility is always beneficial, even if it’s preferably not needed.

3. Ben White Needed a Better Sidekick

Well, we say he needs Tomiyasu but the fact is we don’t know that yet. In terms of profile it suits but we’ll have to see it in practice first.

However, Ben White needed someone. You can’t go splashing a club record £50m transfer fee on a central defender only to leave them playing alongside Cedric or Chambers. Bringing him in to sit alongside mediocrity won’t bring the best out of him.

Watching Kieran Tierney have to over-compensate for Pablo Mari against Chelsea is an example of how the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Bringing in a right-back was initially felt like something that could have been postponed. There was so much work to complete with the midfield slots in desperate need of attending to, so putting the brakes on that position was felt an acceptable step to take. The least necessary, if you like.

Thankfully the window closes after three rounds of fixtures are played. Chambers’ late season form has categorically not carried over. Cedric, meanwhile, is still Cedric.

The need for someone with greater aerial ability on that side to complement White’s lack of presence for high balls was essential, and standing at 6’2″, Tomiyasu fits that bill. How they dovetail will be interesting.

Furthermore, for someone who likes to carry out from his own box there has to be a more secure option alongside who is strong in one-on-one situations and running with his back to goal to cover. Someone physically able.

Tomiyasu offers that more than the current options.

4. Takehiro Tomiyasu is, Above All, a Solid Defender

Everything known about the 22-year-old comes from his time at Bologna where he hasn’t been instructed to attack full throttle or look for final third penetration. Is that because he isn’t strong in those departments, or because he hasn’t been asked to play such a role?

What we can decipher from his time in Italy is that he is a strong defender. His better attributes are much improved from those Arteta currently has to choose from.

Rarely ever dribbled past, he sits in the 90th percentile for dribblers taken on. That adds to total success rate of 57% per 90 minutes from last season, a full 27% greater than the next best Arsenal option, Bellerin. He was also dribbled past 0.43 times per 90, with Chambers the next best at 0.83. Tomiyasu also boasts the best pressure success.

In terms of passing his progressive numbers stack up greater than his teammates and his accuracy with both feet is huge bonus.

Also clocking up by far the best aerial duel success rate (64.6%) and interceptions (1.69 p/90) it’s clear his defensive numbers are much improved on those in the squad. Crucially, too, is that he is definitely faster than Chambers.

All of which is good, but is it enough? Being better than the right-backs at Arsenal doesn’t imply an immediate success or an improvement enough to warrant his signing.

We will have to wait and see on that, adding in the necessary time it will take him to adapt to the Premier League. Not an elite defender by any means, he’s also only 22 years old and with his best years to come.

What Arsenal have acquired, however, is a very strong passer of the ball, solid in all duels, progressive on the ball and a dedicated and willing worker. It’s a low risk move that has potential for a strong reward.

Welcome aboard, Takehiro!