Takehiro Tomiyasu progress with Bologna was the reason the 22-year-old believed he was ready for a move to the Premier League in the last window.
The Italian club reportedly got approaches from several sides for his move, and ended up agreeing his sale to Arsenal in an €18.6m deal.
It’s been just a couple of weeks since Tomiyasu left Bologna, and it looks like he’s already being sorely missed at the club.
His departure to the Gunners was a subject in a press conference held by manager Sinisa Mihajlovic at the weekend. Despite praising the defender for the transfer, the coach couldn’t hide how important he used to be for the club, and the irritation of losing him so late in the window..
“He arrived here as a stranger and now Tomiyasu is at Arsenal, a big player in European football,” said Mihajlovic (via Corriere Dello Sport).
“I lost a player who could cover all defence roles, within hours of the end of the transfer market and it’s not the best, but his path must be an example for others.”
Tomiyasu made his debut for Arsenal in the club’s vital weekend win over Norwich City, being subbed for Emile Smith Rowe in the second half. The Gunners, who are without European football this season, now have the week off until they play Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
