Mikel Arteta says Takehiro Tomiyasu is so comfortable using his left foot that the Japan international could play anywhere along the Arsenal backline.
Sidelined for much of the year, the 22-year-old made his long-awaited comeback in the closing stages of Sunday’s 3-1 win over Manchester United and is now in contention for a first start since January when the Gunners face West Ham on Sunday.
Having impressed in the first half of the season, it’s hoped the defender will help restore some stability following some rickety showings in recent weeks. His ability to break the press with his two-footedness also stands to be an advantage going forward.
Asked whether Tomiyasu’s ability with his weaker foot had come as a surprise, Arteta said:
“When we follow the player and we identify him as one of the candidates, obviously it one of the things that I came across and it gives you a lot of solutions.
“Not only because he can use both feet, but he can play right centre-back, left centre-back, he can play left-back so that gives you enormous variability and it’s the way they’ve been raised and coached since a really young age, that’s what he says so for him, left and right is the same.”
So impressed has Arteta been by Tomiyasu’s two-footedness that he quizzed the player on how he’d been trained as a youngster.
“Yes, I asked him how he’s been coached, it’s always very interesting things that we can take on board and get involved and implement in our club, because it’s such a beneficial thing, so it’s important to understand other coaches and other ways of coaching.”
Honestly, I am surprised so many players at international level have weaker non dominant feet game.
Tomy is the best thing that can happen to us now he’s availability is a boost to our top 4 challenge. And I very sure we can do it. COYG
He’s certainly an alternative to Cedric…..
😂
*Dear downvoters
This was what is known in popular culture as a ‘joke.’ 🙄
Hmmmm…
Is this foreshadowing? Are we going to see a back line of Tomi, Gabriel, White, and Cedric?
Of course Cedric can play on the left as well. Interesting choices. Can’t wait to see Tomi shut down whatever side he’s on!
I hope Tavares is given another go at LB. Let him cause a chaos, it is so fun 😂
It was fun because in the end we won vs manu. Had we lost in that game…there’ll be no fun at all
Cedric gave the ball away at left back previously and has not been considered for that position since. Much like Tavares until he irons out his weakness he won’t be considered whilst opposition teams continue to create pressing traps specially for them
Could we perhaps see him on the left and cedric on the right?
Now I can stop singing stuck in the middle with you.
Tierney to the left of me, cedric to the right here I am, wanting Tomiyasu.
Not my best effort, granted.
It’s alright you know, it’s alright
He plays on the right central defense for his country. He is versatile player.. gets the job done whenever he plays…
Love that Sp*r were in for him but they got Royal instead!
That’s karma.
Well, Karma was a dismal failure in his loan spell at Ipswich.
I wouldn’t say that – by all accounts he was a bit of a chameleon.
Nah….
That’s not Karma, that’s the History of the Tottenham
Best two footed player for us since Carzola.
Interesting to think that had Niles had a different attitude he could have played close to 20 games for us at right back, left back, mobile number 8 or even to close out games as a replacement for Laca on the left and bring Martinelli central. If we get into champions league perhaps that athleticism will come in handy against stronger sides who play more open. He is still liable to lapse in focus and give the ball away, but as a squad player, if he accepts that role in a busy team then we will play 30-40 games a… Read more »
I mean almost 20 games since the January Window opened.
Most ironic part is he’s barely played at Roma lol. Classic example of a player who thought the grass was greener on the other side.
Can’t wait to see him back on a regular basis.
We’ve missed him.
Yes, Cedric has coped reasonably well, but his addiction to meaningless crosses is really now beginning to boil my piss.
Welcome back Tommi.
Cazorla 2.0