Takehiro Tomiyasu Leaves Arsenal in Contract Split

Takehiro Tomiyasu’s three-year spell at Arsenal has come to an abrupt end after the Premier League club and the Japan defender mutually agreed to terminate his contract, a decision that arrives with 12 months still left on the deal and five more months of rehabilitation ahead of him.

Takehiro Tomiyasu: Why Arsenal Chose An Early Goodbye

The Gunners invested £16 million to bring Takehiro Tomiyasu from Bologna in September 2021, viewing the versatile right-footer as a solution for both full-back roles and even centre-back in a back three. Yet persistent calf, groin and knee issues restricted him to just 54 league appearances in three seasons. With Arsenal chasing trophies on multiple fronts and Financial Fair Play considerations tightening every summer, sporting director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta decided an early exit served all parties better than paying a sidelined player for another campaign.

Financial and Squad Implications

Releasing Takehiro Tomiyasu is expected to save Arsenal close to £3 million in wages and bonuses. That money can now be redirected toward a new right-back, with reports linking the North London side to Real Valladolid’s promising Iván Fresneda and Inter Milan’s Dutch star Denzel Dumfries. In addition, freeing up a non-homegrown squad slot will help Arsenal comply with UEFA list rules for next season’s Champions League campaign.

The Player’s Injury Timeline

Takehiro Tomiyasu tore his medial knee ligament during Japan’s Asian Cup run in January. Following surgery in February, specialists projected an eight-month recovery window, meaning the defender is unlikely to return to full training before early September. Arsenal’s medical team, agreeing with independent consultants, could not guarantee that he would regain previous explosiveness in time for the 2024-25 opener. Rather than risk another stop-start season, the club allowed the player to seek a fresh environment once fit.

Reaction From Club and Country

Arteta praised Takehiro Tomiyasu in a brief statement: “Tomi gave everything in training and during games. Unfortunately injuries hindered his consistency, but his professionalism has been outstanding. We wish him nothing but success in the next chapter.” Meanwhile, Japan national-team boss Hajime Moriyasu remains optimistic: “Once Takehiro Tomiyasu is healthy, he’s still one of Asia’s elite defenders. We’ll monitor his progress closely.”

Where Could Takehiro Tomiyasu Land Next?

Sources in Italy suggest Serie A clubs are already contacting the player’s representatives. AC Milan, who admired Takehiro Tomiyasu before he joined Arsenal, reportedly view him as a low-risk depth signing because he would be available on a free. In Germany, Borussia Dortmund scout Markus Pilawa confirmed to Ruhr Nachrichten that they have “kept data on Takehiro Tomiyasu since his days in Bologna.” A return to the J-League with Urawa Red Diamonds is considered unlikely, with the defender intent on staying in Europe to compete at the highest level once fit.

How The Move Affects Arsenal’s Tactics

Arteta relied on inverted full-backs last season, often pushing Ben White or Oleksandr Zinchenko into central midfield. Takehiro Tomiyasu excelled at that tactical wrinkle when healthy, particularly in the 3-2 win over Liverpool in October 2022. His departure means Arsenal will either double down on White as the permanent starter or introduce a new signing capable of overlapping and inverting seamlessly. Academy graduate Reuell Walters earned praise during the U-21 campaign and could receive first-team minutes during pre-season, but the club is expected to buy rather than rely solely on youth.

Fans’ Mixed Emotions Over The Exit

Many supporters feel sympathy for Takehiro Tomiyasu, whose dedication never wavered despite long spells on the treatment table. Social media timelines flooded with highlight reels of his last-ditch tackles against Tottenham and disciplined marking of Mohamed Salah. Others argue that Arsenal have progressed beyond sentimental decisions and must be ruthless to close the gap on Manchester City. A poll run by the supporters’ group “Arsenal Voice” recorded 62 per cent approval for the termination versus 38 per cent who would have kept him as rotation.

Injury Records For Recent Arsenal Defenders

Takehiro Tomiyasu is not the first defender to suffer recurrent problems under the Emirates roof. Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Laurent Koscielny all faced stretches of extended rehabilitation in recent years. Arsenal upgraded training-ground facilities and hired new physios in 2023, but high-intensity pressing and fixture congestion continue to test player durability. By cutting ties now, the club hopes to set a precedent that only fully fit footballers will remain on the payroll.

Potential Replacement Targets

• Iván Fresneda – 19-year-old Spanish prodigy known for ball-carrying and one-v-one defending.
• Denzel Dumfries – experienced Dutch international with Champions League pedigree.
• Jeremie Frimpong – Bayer Leverkusen speedster valued at £35 million.

Whether any of these players can replicate Takehiro Tomiyasu’s defensive versatility is uncertain, but Arsenal clearly plan to act quickly once the transfer window opens.

The Bigger Picture For Japanese Footballers Abroad

Takehiro Tomiyasu’s journey underscores both the opportunities and the physical demands facing Japanese players in Europe. Fellow internationals Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endo and Ritsu Doan have thrived in England and Germany, yet maintaining peak fitness over 50-game seasons is a constant battle. Sports-science consultant Dr. Nao Ogura notes that Japanese youth academies traditionally emphasise technical development more than power conditioning, which can leave players vulnerable when exposed to the Premier League’s intensity. Clubs are now collaborating with the JFA to create bespoke strength programmes, hoping to lessen injury risk for the next wave of exports.

What Comes Next For Takehiro Tomiyasu

Over the next five months, Takehiro Tomiyasu will continue rehabilitation in London, using a private physio team he assembled in coordination with Arsenal’s medical staff. Once cleared for outdoor work, he intends to spend two weeks in Kobe, training at Vissel’s facilities to acclimatise to match-speed drills. His agents, CAA Stellar, aim to finalise a pre-contract this summer so the defender can join his new club’s pre-season tour in September. The 25-year-old still dreams of representing Japan at the 2026 World Cup, and a fresh start without the weight of Arsenal expectations may be precisely what he needs.

Opinion: Arsenal’s decision, while harsh on the surface, feels pragmatic. Takehiro Tomiyasu’s quality was never in doubt, but availability is the true currency of elite sport. By freeing cap space now, the Gunners sharpen their competitive edge, and the player gains autonomy to reboot his career elsewhere. In a football marketplace that often traps injured stars on inflated wages, this mutual termination looks like rare common sense.