Arsenal have completed the signing of Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna in a £17million deal. The Japanese international, who is equally adept at either right-back or centre-back, finalised personal terms and completed a medical to rubber-stamp his deadline day move. The deal was announced just 15 minutes before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline.
The Gunners’ new arrival comes at the perfect time, with Hector Bellerin completing his own medical ahead of a season-long loan to Real Betis.
That deal will include an option to buy, so the Spaniard’s 10-year stay at the Emirates is on the verge of coming to an end.
For Tomiyasu, personal terms and a medical were reportedly straightforward, and the deal progressed extremely quickly on deadline day.
The 22-year-old will arrive as a capable Bellerin replacement, although his added versatility should help boss Mikel Arteta in the event of a centre-back crisis.
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Ben White was brought in as the marquee defensive signing of the summer at £50m, but his poor start against Brentford looks to have prompted Arteta to venture back out into the market for reinforcements.
Having spent a colossal £150m on new signings this summer, the pressure will now be on Arteta to right the wrongs of last season, as well as the start of this campaign.
For Tomiyasu, he is walking into the lion’s den as the atmosphere surrounding the club is in danger of reaching an all-time low.
Thankfully, he has the luxury of two-week international break to get his bearings, familiarise himself with his team-mates and his new manager’s ideas.
When domestic football resumes, Arsenal’s merciless start, facing Chelsea and City in their first three games, is set to give way to an easier run of fixtures.
That will be welcome news indeed for Tomiyasu, who must make a sizable step up from Bologna where he made 33 appearances in all competitions last season.
For the Gunners, their sixth signing of the summer was their last despite links to multiple other players.
Arteta and transfer chief Edu have certainly been busy but in the first three games of the campaign, their work has not paid off.
During the international break, the pair must knuckle down with their new-look squad as they embark on a crucial period in Arsenal’s season.
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