Last summer, Arsenal bolstered their entire defence by signing Ben White, Nuno Tavares, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Aaron Ramsdale.
The four players have done well in their debut season at the Emirates, especially the goalkeeper as Ramsdale has replaced Bernd Leno to be the club’s first choice custodian.
Tomiyasu joined the north London club from Bologna on the deadline day last August after the Japan international arrived in Europe when Sint-Truiden took him from Avispa Fukuoka in 2018.
Mikel Arteta’s man has now become a role model for his compatriots to reach the top leagues in Europe. One such player is Koki Machida, who is currently on loan at Royale Union Saint-Gilloise from Japanese side Kashima Antlers.
“For the Japanese, this first trip to a foreign club is an important moment. It is essential to choose your club well and we see Belgium as a good stage to continue to advance, to prepare for higher,” Machida told La Dernière Heure.
“Takehiro Tomiyasu, for example, has developed very well here, in Saint-Trond, and has been able to cross other levels to arrive today at Arsenal. He’s really an example for me. We see that there are options to grow and have a great career here.”
The centre-back also dreams to follow Tomiyasu to the Premier League in the future.
“I hope to succeed as well as possible here, to gain a lot of experience. Of course, I dream of England or France or Italy, but first I have to start well here and then grow,” the defender explained.
Arriving in January of this year on an 18-month loan, Machida has made three appearances for the Belgian side since then, starting two of the last three league games, including the 3-0 win over Charleroi a couple of weeks ago.
