Takehiro Tomiyasu has explained his sudden departure from Arsenal, after the Japanese international bid farewell to the Gunners.
On July 4 it was announced that the defender had left the Gunners by mutual consent, with the versatile squad player departing effective immediately.
Tomiyasu struggled with injuries during his time at Arsenal and only made one appearance last season, which came against Southampton.
Having undergone surgery in February, Tomiyasu remains out with a knee problem and it is quite unusual for players to leave a club while they are still sidelined.
Tomiyasu stated that he feels less anxious after leaving the club.
He told DAZN Japan: ‘It wasn’t a sudden decision to leave.
‘First of all, I want to make it clear that my contract wasn’t terminated unilaterally, and I didn’t unilaterally say: “I’m leaving”.
‘I was there for four years, but I only played five minutes in the 2024-25 season, and I spent a whole year in rehabilitation.
‘I was under a lot of stress and anxiety. To be honest, I wasn’t feeling like I was there anymore, and I was wondering: “Is this where my future is?”.
Tomiyasu revealed that some of his team-mates were left surprised by his departure.
He said: ‘After I decided to leave, I said my final goodbyes to the players, coaches, and staff. I went to the locker room or staff room one by one and said: ‘I’m leaving.’
‘As I said my goodbyes to each and every one of them, I was reminded that I was loved, and that was when I was able to leave.
‘I think that was a good thing. The players were surprised, too, as I still had time left on my contract and I was injured.’
Tomiyasu signed for Arsenal from Bologna in 2021 and went on to play 84 times for Mikel Arteta’s team, scoring twice.
He has been capped by Japan on 42 occasions since making his international debut in 2018.
Mainly deployed at right-back, Tomiyasu is also capable of playing at left-back or centre-back, with his versatility having been seen as a useful asset by Arteta.
