Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has spoken about Takehiro Tomiyasu’s game ahead of the Gunners taking on Wolves in the Premier League.
The Arsenal boss, speaking to the Gunners media team, thinks that the 25-year-old could potentially be more of an attacking outlet going forward.
At the same time, Arteta stressed that the priority for Tomiyasu – and indeed any of his defenders – is to defend well and should maintain consistency on that front.
At present, Arsenal have Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko vying for the left-back spot in the Gunners starting XI.
The team defends better and is more solid with Tomiyasu, while it flows better with Zinchenko.
When both fit, Arteta can pick the player he feels will perform better against any given opponent.
However, that’s not to say the Japan international can’t add more strings to his bow.
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Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu could develop his game further
And Arteta seems keen for him to become more of an attacking threat, albeit not as a major priority.
Asked whether Tomiyasu can be more of a threat going forward, the Arsenal boss replied: “I think so but the priority for defenders is to defend and to defend well.
“Anything that they can add on top of that is excellent and we are looking to develop.
“But especially in the defensive phase the behaviour and consistency we are showing is what we need to maintain, that’s for sure.”
Tomiyasu has been a key member of Arteta’s squad since joining from Bologna in a deal reportedly worth just under £20million in 2021.
He has made 71 competitive appearances for the Gunners, and bagged his first goal in red and white earlier this season.
Tomiyasu is young and can yet add to his game, and while it’s not a priority, it would still be good to see him add more strings to his bow in the next few years.