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Arsenal dressing room have clear view as Mikel Arteta 'forced to accept' situation

Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on May 19, 2024 in London, England.
-Credit: (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)


Takehiro Tomiyasu could leave Arsenal in January with Mikel Arteta reportedly having accepted the defender could be on his way out of the club.

The Japanese star has become a well-liked figure in the dressing room since joining in 2021 for £15.5million (€18.60million), and has made 64 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.

The 25-year-old has scored two goals and assisted six times in all competitions for the north Londoners, with an unfortunate run of injuries keeping him from becoming a regular in Arteta's squad.

The Sun reports that Inter Milan, Napoli and Juventus are all keen to snap up the hard-working defender, with Tomiyasu reportedly open to a move away from the Premier League.

Despite not cementing a long-term starting position for Arsenal, the rest of the squad may not want Tomiyasu to leave the Emirates Stadium due to his popularity in the dressing room.

Speaking back in 2023 after a 5-0 win over Sheffield United, Arteta waxed lyrical about the Japanese ace and claimed the entire squad "loved" his energy and presence at the club. He said: "I love him. Everybody loves him.

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"He’s one of the most popular in the dressing room. You can see the reaction of his team-mates towards him. They wanted him there at the front, enjoying it. He’s always very reserved and always doing things for the rest of the boys. He’s a fantastic player for the team."

Tomiyasu is currently under contract at Arsenal until 2026, and Arsenal are reportedly looking for £25million in order to part with the versatile defender.

Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal during a training session of Arsenal during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on July 15, 2024 in London Colney, England.
Tomiyasu has become a popular face in the dressing room -Credit:Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Reports also claim that Inter were in the market for the Tomiyasu in the summer, with no solid transfer movement coming to fruition. Arsenal are not willing to allow Tomiyasu to leave the club on loan, despite only starting six games for the Gunners last season.

He is yet to feature in a matchday squad for Arteta's side this term, due to a knee injury keeping him sidelined since July. Arsenal will be hoping to have as full a compliment of players as possible come this Sunday, as they take on Manchester City in a top-of-the-table clash at the Etihad.