Arsenal vs Norwich: Tomiyasu’s tactical freedom in 4-2-3-1

Takehiro Tomiyasu Has Superb Debut for Arsenal Against Norwich

Post-match Arteta highlighted his deadline day signing’s ‘joy and happiness and good energy’. He’s spot on.

Just in the way that Martin Odegaard’s outstanding work rate rubs off on his teammates, Tomiyasu’s energy has an infectious quality that helps get a crowd on board. To make such an impression on your debut with the minimal training he’s had with the group is a major positive.

And that energy came in the form of strong running. Charging down his marker, the physical and battling nature of his display was the ideal measure of aggression without crossing the line.

Clearly an intelligent footballer, to slot into a role that under Arteta is anything but simple – Bellerin was overburdened with the responsibilities the manager wants from his right-back – and even more impressive is to have done so with barely two days worth of preparation. He probably doesn’t even know everyone’s name yet.

How he was in the duels is was stood out the most. Aerially he was a boss. How unbelievably refreshing it is to see a right-back winning header after header.

Winning five of his five in the first half, Tomiyasu concluded the afternoon with seven out of eight successful aerial challenges. With a defender like White alongside him who isn’t renowned for this area of the game, it’s necessary scouting.

With the quality of opposition caveat card needing to be dealt, what we can reservedly decipher from 62 minutes of action is that Tomiyasu has done as much as he possibly could in the circumstances get supporters excited.

Great start from someone who fulfilled what Arteta wants from his right-back.