Is it time for Arsenal to move on from Takehiro Tomiyasu?

How would you describe Takehiro Tomiyasu's time at Arsenal so far?

The Japanese international remained a sturdy, functional, and versatile defensive operator well into last season's stretch, but, without sounding too harsh, his career in north London has truthfully been pretty forgettable.

The stability he offered in year one - before he got injured - was welcomed as Mikel Arteta's project showed signs of lift-off, and we've seen Tomiyasu produce standout displays as a lockdown defender. We all remember Arteta's deployment of the 25-year-old against Mohamed Salah during a landmark 3-2 victory over Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in October 2022.

It was Tomiyasu's ability in one-v-one situations that convinced the boss that leaving the defender on an island with the all-time Premier League great was a wise idea. “At defending, he’s probably one of the best that I’ve seen in many situations. His concepts, his principles, the way he applies that, the way he goes into duels..." Arteta said after a Carabao Cup victory over Brentford last year.

This is a player that Arteta continues to value, but there's no denying the waning of his importance. We once would've regarded a Tomiyasu absence as a major blow. It's an afterthought now.

Is it time for Arsenal to move on from Takehiro Tomiyasu?

Tomiyasu had been out of action since June with a knee injury before he made a cameo appearance off the bench against Southampton before the October break. Great! Now's the time for the 25-year-old to build some momentum and develop some rhythm heading into a tough schedule in which Arteta will require the extremities of his squad...

BREAKING: Takehiro Tomiyasu suffers another injury setback. Expected to be out for another month.

We knew it was too good to be true.

Since he joined the club from Bologna in 2021, Tomiyasu has missed 54 games for club and country due to injury. Only Thomas Partey has been less reliable on the availability front, and many supporters had washed their hands with the midfielder heading into the summer transfer window. The 31-year-old's bright start to the new season suggests we shouldn't be giving up on Tomiyasu just yet.

However, the defender's inability to stay fit is a distinct source of frustration. The addition of Riccardo Calafiori and all his aura as well as Jurrien Timber's lack of rust post-ACL tear means Tomiyasu will be reduced to a sporadic playing role when he is fit, but he nonetheless does have a role to play this season.

The 25-year-old just can't seem to shake these recurring knee and calf injuries.

Full-back is perhaps the most complex role within Arteta's framework and the capabilities of Timber and Calafiori are bound to take what we expect from full-back play to another dimension. Tomiyasu is such a handy asset when fit, but he's a player we can't rely upon to be available.

Signed for a bargain £17m fee three years ago, it's hard to envisage the club committing to Tomiyasu for the long haul given his injury woes. However, the form he's displayed in spurts during his Arsenal career means there's scope for the club to make profit on him in 2025.

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