Takehiro Tomiyasu's three best games for Arsenal

Takehiro Tomiyasu made his debut at right-back against Norwich City at the Emirates on 11th September 2021. The gunners had lost their opening three games of the season and were languishing at the bottom of the Premier League. Tomiyasu helped Arsenal to a 1-0 victory that day, courtesy of a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goal.

Tomiyasu would go on to play 84 times for the gunners, scoring twice and making five assists. Here are three matches to remember the Japanese international by.

Arsenal 2 - 0 Newcastle - Saturday 27th November 2021 - Rating 8.5

Let's get the ball rolling with the match that gave us arguably Tomiyasu's most memorable moment for the Arsenal.

For 56 minutes Arsenal had struggled to break down a resolute Newcastle United team who had arrived at the Emirates without a win to their name in 12 Premier League outings.

Intent on defending, Newcastle sat deep and Arsenal went on the attack. This allowed Tomiyasu to venture forward and get involved in plenty of build-up play. By half-time, he had attempted 55 passes, made 11 tackles (9 in the opponents half), and had 3 shots on goal.

After Arsenal took the lead through Bakayo Saka's 56th minute when Saka finished off an excellent passing move involving Smith-Rowe and Tavares, the stage was set for Tomiyasu's moment.

Shortly after Martinelli had replaced the injured Saka, Tomiyasu picked the ball up out on the right touchline and clipped a beautifully flighted chipped pass behind the Newcastle defenders for Martinelli to volley high past Martin Dubravka.

Arsenal 3 - 0 Bournemouth - Saturday 4th May 2024 - Rating 7.7

Arsenal went four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a resounding win at home to Bournemouth. The hosts did not have things all their own way and before the second and third goals went in, Tomiyasu had plenty of work to do.

Playing at left back, Tomiyasu made three tackles, two interceptions and four clearances. A blocked shot added to his defensive contributions. Two accurate long passes and an accurate cross left Tomiyasu with a 7.73 rating on whoscored.com.

Arsenal 2 - 1 Everton - Sunday 19th May 2024 - Rating 7.8

It is perhaps fitting that we conclude the list with Tomiyasu's final day of the season equalising goal against Everton in 2024. The goal, a clinical low strike from the edge of the area following a pull-back from Martin Odegaard, hauled Arsenal back into a match that they had to win to have a chance of securing the Premier League title.

Sadly, like a metaphor for Tomiyasu's career at Arsenal, it just wasn't meant to be. Despite Kai Havertz grabbing a late winner, Manchester City had already done enough at home to West Ham to see off the gunners' challenge.

In a match that typified Tomiyasu's playing style, he completed 89.4% of 47 passes. In defence, he was strong and athletic, making two decisive clearances and two intelligent interceptions. Going forward, he had four shots and scored the important equaliser on the stroke of half-time.