When he came to Emirates from Bologna in 2021, the Japan international quickly won over the fans. He took over at right back from the long-serving Hector Bellerin.
Tomiyasu impressed with his defensive skills and ability to play multiple positions. He became essential to Mikel Arteta's team when he was fully healthy, scoring two goals and setting up six others in 83 games.
The 25-year-old finished the 2023–24 season as Arteta's first-choice left-back and scored the equalizer in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Everton on the last day of the season.
However, he has had fitness problems all through his Gunners career.
The back has never played all 22 games in a Premier League season. Over the last three seasons, he has missed 40 games for his club and his country, which will increase in the coming weeks.
Tomiyasu is "getting attention" from Saudi Arabia.
Tomiyasu missed all of Arsenal's preseason and hurt his knee again. He will be out for the first part of the Premier League season and may not be able to play again until September.
FootballTransfers says that Arsenal would be ready to let the 25-year-old leave in the next few weeks if they get a good offer. This means that he might not even be in North London when he fully recovers.
It was said that a return to Bologna was being considered while Arsenal was trying to sign Riccardo Calafiori. However, the sell-on clause disputes between Basel and Roma made that plan impossible.
Teams in the Saudi Pro League are reportedly interested in Tomiyasu. He just signed a new deal with Arsenal in March, but his new terms end in the summer of 2026. He wasn't given a long-term contract because of his injury problems.
Tomiyasu's new knee problem could make it harder for him to leave North London, but Arteta is a good defender in case the Gunners decide to let go of their £15.9 million player.
During preseason seasons, Zinchenko often filled in at left-back while Tomiyasu was in the recovery room. Calafiori also made his start in that role in the Emirates Cup.
As the game against Lyon ended, the Italy international moved to the middle of the field. At the same time, Myles Lewis-Skelly, a 17-year-old school graduate, finished the game at left-back, a position he had been practicing all summer.
In the early parts of his career, Lewis-Skelly has mostly played as a defensive midfielder. However, the Arsenal staff thinks the teenager could be a good choice in defense this season.
Even if Arsenal doesn't let Lewis-Skelly go just yet, Calafiori, Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber, and Jakub Kiwior can play left back. However, the future of the Poland international is also still being determined.
Since Tomiyasu has a terrible track record regarding health, Arsenal could be forgiven for considering bids for him.
They could still make a small profit on the £15.9m they paid for him, even though many Gooners would still be sad to see him go.
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