Takehiro Tomiyasu debut: Arsenal hopeful of finalising work permit for new signing before Norwich clash

Arsenal are hoping that new signing Takehiro Tomiyasu could be available for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Norwich.

The versatile Japan defender - comfortable at right-back or in central defence - completed a £16million move from Serie A side Bologna to Emirates Stadium on transfer deadline day last week.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta subsequently confirmed in his pre-Norwich press conference that Tomiyasu is now in the UK and will train with his new team-mates at London Colney after meeting the manager later on Thursday.

Arsenal are also hopeful of finalising the player’s work permit on Thursday, which would make him available for the visit of Daniel Farke’s men to north London, though whether he would be considered after such little time training in advance of that fixture remains to be seen.

“We need the work permit first. The club is trying hard to achieve that in the next couple of hours. He is back in the country right now,” said Arteta.

“I will meet him for the first time today probably and train with him, see how he is, get a feel for it. He has been playing, so he should be completely fit. We have been impressed, that is the reason why we decided to sign him.”

“Tomi has got the capacity to play in any position in the back four. He has done it all across the back four and in a back three as well. He gives us that versatility.

“He gives different qualities in that right-back position and he is a player that we followed for a long time. He brings qualities that we didn’t have in the squad.”

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