Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that he has no idea what Takehiro Tomiyasu’s best position is.
The Japan international is slowly getting back to his best. He has been incredible in recent weeks, and Arteta is delighted with his performances. However, the Arsenal boss hasn’t figured out Tomiyasu’s strongest position yet.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he doesn’t know Takehiro Tomiyasu’s best position
Arsenal signed Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna in the summer of 2021 for just £16 million (The Athletic).
The Japanese defender was brought in as a right-back, but over the last two and a bit years, he has featured across the back four for the Gunners.
Most of Tomiyasu’s appearances this season have come at left-back, while he played in the heart of the defence in the last round of the Carabao Cup against Brentford.
Mikel Arteta was asked in his press conference yesterday if Tomiyasu can play in any of the four defensive positions at Arsenal.
The Gunners boss replied, as relayed on HaytersTV: “Yeah! He doesn’t care! You see him strike the ball right or left, or playing left-centre-back or right-centre-back, he adapts straight away. That’s a huge quality.”
Arteta was then asked about Tomiyasu’s best position. He said: “I cannot tell you, to be honest. I don’t know. He needs a run of games and probably we need to see partnerships to reply to that question in the right way.
“Today, I cannot tell you what is his best. What is more needed now? Yes, because we have less depth in that position (left-back). But what is his best position? I don’t know!”
Tomiyasu has been incredible for Arsenal
There are very few players in the world who can slot in comfortably anywhere across the back line – Arsenal’s Takehiro Tomiyasu is one of them.
The Japan international has had a number of injury issues since he joined Arsenal, but there are very few defenders more reliable than him when he’s fit and available.
Tomiyasu has already played in all four defensive positions this season, and he has been incredible. He gives Arteta numerous options every single game, and he has the ability to deliver irrespective of where he plays.
Arsenal take on West Ham United in the Carabao Cup tonight. Tomiyasu is expected to start, but only Arteta knows which position he will be deployed in.