Arsenal new signing Takehiro Tomiyasu was wished by Tottenham, rejected Barcelona as a child and has by no means been despatched off

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of defender Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna.

The Japan star was introduced on the final minute in a £17million deal, which suggests the Gunners board have backed Mikel Arteta to the tune of £150m this summer time.

You’d be forgiven for not figuring out an excessive amount of concerning the 22-year-old however don’t fear, we’re readily available to inform you extra.

Listed here are 5 details about Tomiyasu…

He’s versatile and bodily

Tomiyasu has been adept each at right-back and centre-half over his two seasons in northern Italy.

One in every of his foremost strengths is his physicality; he’s 6”2’ tall and gained the ninth most aerial duels (91) in Italy’s high division final season, greater than another Arsenal participant of their present squad.

Tottenham preferred him too

He had been carefully tracked by bitter Tottenham at one level, earlier than they moved on to Barcelona’s Emerson Royal.

Spurs have been reportedly unwilling to pay in extra of £15m for the participant, whose first alternative to indicate them what they’re lacking might be the north London derby on September 26.

He might have gone to Barcelona

Tomiyasu left boyhood Japanese membership Avispa Fukuoka for Belgian outfit Sint-Truiden in 2018 when he was simply 19.

However his first transfer to Europe might need really occurred when he was 11 had he accepted a proposal from Barcelona to relocate, following a profitable trial on the membership’s soccer camp.

It solely took one season within the Belgium Professional League to persuade Bologna to pay £7.7m to take him to Serie A in 2019.

He’s a key participant for his nation

He has represented Japan at all ages group from U16 proper as much as the senior ranks.

He’s already gained 23 full caps regardless of solely making his Japan debut in 2018, Tomiyasu was included within the AFC (Asian Soccer Confederation) crew of the last decade, as chosen by the IFFHS (Worldwide Federation of Soccer Historical past & Statistics).

He’s no hot-head like Granit Xhaka

Arsenal are famously probably the most red-carded crew in Premier League historical past, actually yet one more and the Gunners will reduce the tape for the purple card 100 membership – although Tomiyasu won’t be the bookies’ favorite to see his new membership to the milestone.

There have been 149 gamers booked extra occasions than him in Serie A final season, whereas he gained 47 out 60 tackles tried (78% success price) and has by no means been despatched off in his membership or worldwide profession.