Takehiro Tomiyasu insists table-topping Arsenal now understand and are showing how Mikel Arteta wants them to play, as he admits last season they couldn’t ‘express’ it… as the defender also accepts the ‘reality’ of being understudy to Ben White
- Takehiro Tomiyasu has revealed the secret behind Arsenal’s success this season
- The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League over Man City by five points
- The defender has also accepted being an understudy to Ben White at present
Takehiro Tomiyasu has revealed the true secret behind Arsenal‘s success this season is the players ability to implement boss Mikel Arteta‘s tactics.
The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League by five points with a game in hand over second-place Manchester City at present, a much improved position to last season.
The north London outfit have amassed a staggering 50 points from their first 19 games, more than any other Arsenal side in history at this stage of the campaign – proving what a transformation they’ve undergone in the last year under Arteta.
They are now very much in the title race and will be hoping they can win their first Premier League trophy since 2004.
‘We understand more [about] Mikel’s football,’ the Japan international told Goal in an exclusive interview.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (pictured) revealed the true secret behind Arsenal’s success this season
The Gunners are top of the Premier League by five points with a game in hand over Man City
‘We’ve got depth, we’ve got some new players, but the biggest thing is we understand Mikel’s football more than last season.’
Arsenal have only lost one match in the Premier League so far this season, a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United back in September, but they have still avenged that result with a 3-2 victory over the Red Devils recently.
Beating big clubs such as Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and United along the way – a feat that they didn’t seem capable of last campaign. Although they still have to face Manchester City twice yet in the top-flight.
The defender added: ‘Last season we understood. But we couldn’t express it. This season we understand and we are showing how he wants us to play. This is the big difference.’
The 24-year-old Japanese international, who arrived at the Emirates from Bologna in the summer of 2021, has found himself being used sparingly this campaign.
The right-back has still featured 24 times in all competitions, most of his starts coming in the Europa League and domestic cup competitions, while his Premier League appearances has for the most part been from the bench.
Tomiyasu is seen as the second-choice behind England international Ben White at right-back
Tomiyasu is seen as the second-choice behind England international Ben White at right-back, but he understands the reality of the situation with his team-mate putting in some impressive performances.
‘You have to accept the reality,’ Tomiyasu admitted. ‘Ben White has been doing very well. He is fantastic.
‘Of course I want to play from the start. The only thing I can do is prove my value on the pitch and show what I can do.
‘I just want to help the team. It doesn’t matter if I’m playing from the start or not. When I’m on the pitch I give everything.’
