Arsenal handed huge Tomiyasu boost ahead of Norwich clash
Stefan Bienkowski
- 9 Sept 2021 20:50 BST
- 5 min read
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been given a huge boost ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Norwich City.
According to Football London, the work permit application for new signing Takehiro Tomiyasu has been approved, meaning the defender should be able to feature for the club this weekend.
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The Japan international was Arsenal’s sixth signing of the summer when he made a £19 million move from Serie A side Bologna on transfer deadline day.
The English publication report that Tomiyasu only took part in his training session with his new club on Thursday afternoon, after arriving from international duty with his nation.
As such, it may be too soon for the Japanese defender to slot into Arteta’s starting XI, but he could still play a vital role on Saturday.
Why did Arsenal sign Takehiro Tomiyasu?
"Tomiyasu has the ability to play anywhere in a back four," Arteta said in a press conference this week when asked about his new signing. "He gives us different qualities in that right-back position.
"He brings qualities that we didn't have in the squad."
Indeed, it was abundantly clear for all to see this summer that Arteta and technical director Edu felt a huge obligation to upgrade the club’s defensive options, with Tomiyasu coming in as the fourth player to either play in the back line or in goals.
However, unlike Aaron Ramsdale in goals, stalwart central defender Ben White or orthodox left-back Nuno Tavares, Tomiyasu is a player that can play across the back four and help Arsenal in a number of positions.
As such, with injury and poor form a constant concern for Arteta and Arsenal as they look to improve on a poor campaign last year, Tomiyasu’s ability to fill in across a number of positions should prove invaluable over the course of the season.
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