Takehiro Tomiyasu says Arsenal are “better than last season” and will head into Sunday’s match against Liverpool with “no fear”.
It’s big talk from the Japan international given the hex Jurgen Klopp seems to have over us.
In 18 encounters since the German become manager of the Reds, the Gunners have only managed three wins (all in 2020) with two of those on penalties, in the Community Shield and League Cup, and the other an asterisk-worthy Premier League showdown at a behind closed doors Emirates not long after the visitors had been crowned champions.
The reason for Tomiyasu’s confidence is clear. Arsenal have won seven out of eight league games so far and sit top of the table while Liverpool are languishing in ninth place, 11 points behind us.
“Liverpool is still Liverpool. Of course it will not be an easy game,” Tomiyasu told the Evening Standard.
“Everyone needs to be helping the team. But we are better than last season and we are confident to beat them. We have no fear. We are playing at home with 60,000 people behind us. We need to try and get three points.
“To be fair, the atmosphere of the dressing room is very good. We are confident and we are top of the League. We are ready to beat them. We have got a lot of games in October until the World Cup, so every player has to be ready to play, to help the team.”
Tomiyasu was speaking after making his second start of the season in the 3-0 Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt.
Despite the clean sheet, the Japan international, who has spent the opening months of the season providing back up to Ben White, was not impressed by his performance.
“For me it was not an easy game. After Eddie’s goal and Rob’s goal, the game was a bit scrappy. We couldn’t control the game for 90 minutes, so for me it was not enough. I am not happy with my performance.
“For me it doesn’t matter which competition I play. Even if it is Europa League or a cup game, I want to help the team on the pitch,” he added.
“But if you want to get back your position you have to be much, much better. Today was not my top, top performance so I am not satisfied with my performance.
“If you are playing in a big club, like Arsenal, there is always competition with the other players. Competition makes me a lot better. To be fair, he ( Ben White) is doing very well, he is doing fantastic. I need to learn from him a lot of things during the training sessions as well.”
We think Tomi is probably being a tad harsh on himself but if this is how he keeps himself motivated then so be it!
Sounds a top guy, most of would be hacked off at being demoted to the number 2 RB, when he was clearly number 1 before his injury.
Good luck to him, I’m sure he will play a big role for us when needed. Don’t think any other PL team will have a back-up RB as good as him!
Strange that he was disappointed with his performance last night. I thought he was excellent.
He is so good. I loved how effortless it was for him when he got moved to LB last night. He just started using his left foot instead without any downgrade to his game.
Perfect comment!
Loving his attitude!
I saw people raving on his performance yesterday and the man himself said he wasn’t satisfied. The days of mediocrity is vanishing real quick in this great club.
What a player, what a man. If any one of Saliba, Gabriel or White get injured Mikel will pick him as the replacement in the “starting XI” and it won’t be easy for any of them to get back-in.
It’s criminal to keep a player of Tomi’s technical quality, intelligence and mentality out of the starting XI
Even if there is a better alternative?
Yes there’s a better alternative for Gabriel and that’s Ben White. You know where i am going from here.
Is your perceived gap between Gabriel and Ben White greater than the gap between Tomi and Ben White at the moment? Because right now Ben White is playing like the top RB in the league, and fits the way that Mikel wants him too, playing tight towards midfield. That wasn’t Tomi’s style last season, and like he said himself – he has things to learn from White. I’m content with having a very suitable set of starting and back up Fullbacks; 3 of which are capable of playing Center half, and the other midfield. The versatility of this team is… Read more »
Hear hear. For the first time in years, we find ourselves in a position where losing one of the starting back four to injury is more “oh, that’s a shame” than “OMFG THE SEASON IS OVER, WE’RE SO FUCKED!”
It’s a squad game now, in case you hadn’t realised. 🙄
This guy is a solid captain material.
The way I see it, we had a setback with him last season after he was rushed back into action after injury. He has to be protected more this time around and I am just glad Ben White has stepped up really well. Same thing has to be done with Tierney and Partey .
That’s the spirit. Let’s hope he gets a chance for another run out in the PL soon.
There will probably not be a better time to take Liverpool on and beat them than now. Although they are slowly improving, I think, they are still below the very high standards set over the last few years – as reflected in their good record at The Emirates.
As we all know, Arsenal are on a good run and confidence is clearly high. Bring them on!
fantastic attitude, committed in defense, strong on the ball and off it, supportive of his teammates- what more can you ask for?
I’d want this lad in my side any day of the week Superb attitude great commitment and ability Always gives his all Gonna be a legend Tomi !!!!
Players like Tomi, Gabriel Jesus, etc. who have these attitudes raise the level of the overall team. Long may it continue
Elite mentality. Like this guy alot.
He is a mentality monster, a physical beast & a technical centaur. In a pinch could play anywhere across the back line and probably be gargantuan there.
And to think, that summer we had the choice between Tomi (£16m) and Emerson Royal (£26m) with spuds claiming they’d gotten the better player 😂
Watashi wa…
I like the way he talk.the club first.if thé team doing well everybody is good and motovated.it doesnt mean you play for Europe or league cup that you are not an arsenal player.help the team for any minute you get and you will get reward.many good players was doing Well last 3 years but club did not reach this level.arteta mustnt change the wining team now.let focus first
I couldn’t necessarily pick them but there must be games in the pl where starting tomi is equal to or better than picking ben white. same goes for tierney and zinchenko, and probably other pairings across the pitch. I hope we can somehow manage to keep all of these (proven) quality players satisfied when we can’t match the finacial incentives other clubs may use to keep two first elevens happy. not that I’m complaining of course, feels like our squad is moving in a nice direction.