Arsenal won’t be initially playing new signing Takehiro Tomiyasu in his natural position, according to club technical director Edu. Tomiyasu joined the Gunners from Eintracht Frankfurt in a sudden £19.8million deal on transfer deadline day to take Mikel Arteta’s summer backing to over £150m.
The 22-year-old defender has featured at centre-back for most of his career, making 96 appearances in the position.
He also has experience at right-back but has made more than half the number of appearances than in central defence.
Arsenal splashed £50m on Brighton centre-back Ben White earlier in the summer, but Arteta still has problems in the position.
Rob Holding, Pablo Mari, Calum Chambers and Sead Kolasinac have all featured in the heart of Arteta’s defence so far this season.
But they all failed to convince as the Gunners conceded nine goals in the opening three Premier League outings.
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A positive for Arsenal is the imminent return of Gabriel, who will likely be Arteta’s first-choice partner for White when both are fully fit.
Once the Brazilian is back in, and Tomiyasu lines up at right-back, the Gunners’ defence suddenly looks a lot stronger.
They have a favourable run of fixtures after the international break and the opportunity to lay down the foundations of improvements that comes with it.
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Edu also explained that there are no set targets for Arsenal this season, and he’s simply looking forward to seeing how Tomiyasu and the club’s other signings gel together.
“I don’t want to go for top four or top six or top eight or top 10,” Edu explained.
“I’m just really looking forward to seeing this squad play together. I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone fit.
“I want to see our squad because I don’t see it yet. But I’m really looking forward to it because I believe and Mikel believes that this team can have a good season.”