“He had 103 touches, 90 passes, 4 ground duels, and was everywhere on the pitch. He has never performed like this in a full match before”- Arsenal Legend Arsene Wenger was ‘wowed’ as 25 years old Arsenal star delivered a fantastic performance and told Mikel Arteta to play him against Liverpool next week
“He had 103 touches, 90 passes, 4 ground duels, and was everywhere on the pitch. He has never performed like this in a full match before”- Arsenal Legend Arsene Wenger was ‘wowed’ as 25 years old Arsenal star delivered a fantastic performance and told Mikel Arteta to play him against Liverpool next week
Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was hugely impressive for Japan during their 3-1 win over Indonesia in the Asian Cup group stage earlier today.
The 25-year-old was not involved in Japan’s opening game against Vietnam and he was only introduced at half-time in the surprise defeat to Iraq.
However, he was back in the starting XI against Indonesia. Tomiyasu started in the right centre-back position and dominated the proceedings.
The Gunners ace had 103 touches, completing 90 out of his 98 passes with an accuracy of 92 per cent. He won 100 per cent of his ground duels and take-ons.
Japan would have been through to the round of 16 regardless of the result, but a victory will give them confidence ahead of their next game on January 31.
Meanwhile, their progress means that Tomiyasu won’t return to Arsenal until next month. He could be unavailable until mid-February if Japan make the final.
While Arsenal will miss his services, the defender has the opportunity to get valuable minutes under his belt, having only recently recovered from a calf injury.
The fans will be hoping that he can return from the tournament unscathed. Tomiyasu has been Arsenal’s most creative full-back this term with four goal contributions.
He got his fair share of playing time before his untimely setback. The ex-Bologna man will be hoping to reclaim a starting role on his return from international duty.
Arsenal’s next league game will be against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night. They travel to City Ground where they have been on the losing side in the last three occasions.
The Gunners must beat Forest on the road to keep up with Liverpool in the title race.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
