On Wednesday, we covered some of the reaction from Italy regarding the transfer of Takehiro Tomiyasu to Arsenal.
It was said the move had left a ‘bitter taste in the mouth’ of Bologna due to it taking place so late in the transfer window, and now their manager Sinisa Mihajlovic has commented directly on the situation and the player’s move to the Gunners.
Talking to the press about various matters, the former player didn’t mince his words when asked about the state of his team, which then led to him talking about Tomiyasu’s transfer.
He said, relayed by Corriere dello Sport: “I was satisfied with my Bologna until yesterday (laughs). Now a little bit less, but the sale of Tomiyasu was right, it was planned. Of course, when it happens five or six hours from the end of the market, it bothers you a bit. I don’t know if we will be stronger than last year, we will see at the end of the season”.
Arsenal’s decision to give the Serie A side the money they wanted so late on did prevent the Italians from replacing him, meaning they will have to rely on Lorenzo De Silvestri and Ibrahima Mbaye down the right hand side of the defence.
Down their end, Mikel Arteta’s side managed to keep hold of Ainsley Maitland-Niles (a bit against his will), but did see Hector Bellerin head off back to Spain, when Real Betis welcomed him with open arms.
The arrival of Tomiyasu will help provide cover both at right-back and in the heart of the defence, where it’s been clear issues lie at the Emirates, exemplified by their nine conceded goals in the first three games of the season.
