Arsenal and defender Takehiro Tomiyasu have mutually agreed to terminate his contract, effective immediately. The 26-year-old Japanese international's departure comes after a spell with the Gunners that was promising but ultimately hampered by recurring injuries.
Tomiyasu joined Arsenal in August 2021 from Bologna for a reported £16 million, plus potential add-ons. He quickly established himself in the right-back position, earning the club's Player of the Month award in September 2021 and again in October 2023. Known for his defensive prowess and versatility, Tomiyasu made 84 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions. Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, valued Tomiyasu's ability to play both centrally and out wide. In September 2023, Arteta praised Tomiyasu's defending as "one of the best that I've seen in many situations". He was rewarded with a new contract in March 2024.
However, Tomiyasu's time at Arsenal was significantly affected by a string of injuries. Calf injuries were a recurring issue, with at least three instances since joining the club. He also experienced knee problems on several occasions, requiring surgery in February 2025. These injuries limited his playing time, particularly in the last two seasons, where he made just one substitute appearance in the 2024/25 season. That appearance was against Southampton in October of last year, where he played the final six minutes. In total, he missed 210 days in the last two seasons due to injury.
Arsenal released a statement acknowledging the mutual agreement to end Tomiyasu's contract. The club recognized that injuries had limited his time on the pitch and expressed gratitude for his contributions, wishing him well for the future. Manager Mikel Arteta had previously expressed his sympathy for Tomiyasu's situation, acknowledging the player's dedication and the difficult, often lonely, process of recovering from long-term injuries.
Tomiyasu's versatility will be missed by Arsenal. His departure also frees up a spot in the squad and on the wage bill, which could allow Arsenal to pursue other defensive targets. Arsenal have already been linked with Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera and are reportedly close to agreeing to a deal for his transfer.
