Defender releases statement and tells Arsenal fans why summer exit has happened!

Defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has opened up on the circumstances behind his early exit from ARSENAL after agreeing to leave the club 12 months before the end of his contract.

Tomiyasu signed for Arsenal from Bologna in 2021, after the Gunners scouts were very impressed with his performances over in Seria A, and went on to play 84 times for Mikel Arteta’s team, scoring twice.

Tomiyasu really struggled with injuries during his time at Arsenal and only made one appearance last season, which came against Southampton, but there was a feeling that he would be kept on by boss Mikel Arteta.

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’.

“We had a proper discussion and came to the conclusion that: ‘This decision is best for me, for the club, and for everyone’. So I’m leaving. It all ended amicably.

“From my perspective, it’s the best timing. I’ll be free, and most importantly, the most positive thing about this decision is that it will allow me to focus on my rehabilitation and on myself.

“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?’”

‘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.’

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