Arteta could start Tomiyasu against Brentford
Arteta could start Tomiyasu against Brentford
It’s business again for Arsenal this weekend as Arteta and his side secure an opportunity to remedy their defeat to Brentford, looking to avenge their loss right at the start of the season to Thomas Frank’s side.
The Gunners can move into fifth with a win, depending on how West Ham get on in the lunchtime kick off. Failure to win, meanwhile, could give Wolves the chance to leapfrog them into sixth place. It is, then, another big game for Arsenal as they chase the top four.
However, Mikel Arteta could be handed a huge boost in terms of selection today. After confirming he was back in training in his press conference yesterday, Arsenal boss could be ready to select Takehiro Tomiyasu again.
“We are all good. The doubt was Tomiyasu, which is still not perfect, but he has trained the last few days so he is in contention and we can use him so that’s really positive,” Arteta commented.
Seeing the Japanese star back in action will give The Gunners a lift. Recent weeks have seen Arsenal use makeshift options at right-back, including both Ben White and Cedric Soares. But with all due respect to those two, none have had the impact Tomiyasu has had this term.
The 23-year-old has proven to be a brilliant signing by Arsenal. Captured at the last minute from under the noses of rivals Tottenham, Tomiyasu has played 90 minutes in all but two of his 16 appearances this season.
Defensively, he has been as solid as any right-back in the league. His pace, athleticism, and positional sense has seen him quickly become a favourite among both fans and players. Indeed, it wasn’t too long ago that Ben White labelled Tomiyasu as a ‘world-class’ operator.
“Tomi does the simple things at a world-class level. He is very alert and he isn’t careless in games. From the beginning, he’s completely understood English, and speaks as well as I do,” White has commented.
Certainly, White will be happy to move into his favoured central defensive role today. Tomiyasu being picked to start, if fit, seems a no-brainer for Mikel Arteta.
