Arsenal confirm Takehiro Tomiyasu exit as bombshell statement released

Takehiro Tomuyasu has left Arsenal with immediate effect, the club have announced.

The 26-year-old defender, who joined the Gunners from Bologna in August 2021, has struggled with injuries over the past couple of seasons and featured just once in the 2024/25 season. The Japan international was forced to undergo knee surgery in February and was not expected to play again in 2025.

Arsenal have now confirmed that the club have reached a mutual agreement with Tomiyasu to end his contract with immediate effect. "Unfortunately, injuries have limited Tomi’s time on the pitch in the past two seasons, with the defender making just one substitute appearance last season. It was therefore mutually agreed to end Tomi’s contract in order for him to start a new chapter in his career," a statement read.

"Everyone at Arsenal Football Club would like to thank Tomi for his contribution to the club and we wish him and his family all the best for the future."

Capable of playing right-back and centre-back, Tomiyasu made 84 appearances in all competitions during his time with the club. He made an instant impact after arriving from Italy, winning Arsenal's Player of the Month award in September 2021.

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"He’s been trying everything he possibly could to try to avoid [surgery]," Mikel Arteta said in February. "We did that as well with the department. At some stage it wasn’t reacting as well as we needed it to, so we decided between all parties that the best thing to do was have surgery again.

"Unfortunately it’s going to keep him out for a long period again and it’s very sad because he is a player who lives for the game. He is really keen to play and be consistent, and when he is at his level he’s an incredible player for us."

On helping Tomiyasu throughout his injury recovery, Arteta added: "We are constantly trying to do that, but as a foreign person you don’t have your family and relatives around you, you are on your own for many months. Especially for him, his life is football.

"When you understand what he does during the day, it’s just preparation for the next day, to be in the best possible condition. When injuries deny you that possibility to play and fulfil the purpose you have in your career, it’s very, very tough and hopefully he knows we are all here trying to help him but it’s tough. He needs to go through those moments, and I’ve been there, it’s a very lonely process."

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