Arsenal: 4 unlikely sources of goals this season

3. Takehiro Tomiyasu

Another of the new signings and another player yet to get off the mark for his new club is Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has gradually found himself playing further forward in this system as the season has progressed.

Brought in to effectively play the role of a third central defender in build-up, lately there has been more adventure from him down the right hand side where he’s been able to link up with Saka and even make the occasional underlapping charge towards goal.

In terms of goal threat he isn’t someone to shoot often, and a volley at home to Norwich on his Arsenal debut is arguably the closest he’s come yet.

When you’ve got someone with his outstanding aerial ability – no player in the Premier League wins more headers per 90 minutes than him – it feels like a skill that can be utilised in attacking areas. There is, of course, a large difference between defending a raking diagonal and directed a header into the ground and at goal with multiple bodies around you.

Who says it will come with his head, though? We’re talking about an unbelievably two-footed full-back here who has scored with his left peg in the past, and that element of surprise can catch opposition defenders off guard.

The time that Tomiyasu does score is going to be extra special. He’s such a likeable guy.

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