Arsenal 2021 review: best and worst moments of the year

Best Signing – Takehiro Tomiyasu

In the long run this will probably prove to be Martin Odegaard. At this very moment in time there is an equally strong case to make for it being Ramsdale.

It’s a toss of a coin between the goalkeeper and Takehiro Tomiyasu, but the Japan international just pips it. He’s been a revelation.

Arsenal had to go out and find a specific profile of player to fulfill this role in the team, and not only have they achieved that, they’ve found the perfect man within that spectrum.

Unbelievably consistent in everything he does, Tomiyasu has had a transformative impact on this team. Gradually he’s become more expansive in his play as he has settled, and his physical presence and aerial dominance are joyous to watch each week.

You can always gauge how important a player is to a team by the reaction to them picking up an injury. The smell of fear permeated Elland Road when he went down clutching his calf.

Others can quite easily scoop this award, but Tomiyasu gets the nod.

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