Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has agreed to a new deal with the club
Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has agreed to a new long-term deal with the club, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta and the board wanted the Japan international to remain at the club and sign an extension despite rumours linking him with other clubs.
Tomiyasu has now agreed to the new deal and is set to sign a new long-term contract at Arsenal, with an official announcement set to follow soon.
The news comes as a huge boost for Arsenal given how important the Japanese defender has been to Arteta in recent seasons.
His versatility has come in handy given that he can play across the backline, and he is set to return to action soon after his country got eliminated from the Asian Cup.
Tomiyasu has featured in 20 games across all competitions this season, weighing in with a goal and three assists, and he is expected to be available for selection when the Gunners face West Ham United at London Stadium on Sunday.
Arsenal closed the gap between them and Liverpool to just two points following their 3-1 victory over the Reds at Emirates Stadium yesterday, and they will be desperate to ensure they finish the campaign well so as to boost their chances of winning the title.
Tomiyasu has featured at right-back, left-back and centre-back so far this term, and having such a player available in the long-term is a huge boost for Arteta.
Bayern Munich were keen on recruiting the services of the 25-year-old ahead of the January transfer window, and while nothing materialised, Arsenal have quickly moved to tie him down to a new deal to prevent losing such a key player anytime soon.
The former Bologna star is in his third season at the Emirates Stadium club, with 18 months left on his current deal, but the club started preparations to negotiate a long-term extension last November, and it appears both parties have finally reached an agreement.
