The current Arsenal squad is arguably the most talented we’ve seen at the Emirates Stadium over the past 15 years.
Mikel Arteta’s men went close to lifting the Premier League title last season and with 10 games left to play this term, they lead the way once again.
The likes of Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Declan Rice often grab the headlines at Arsenal and deservedly so.
But one man who possibly doesn’t get the credit he deserves is Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has recently returned from a spell on the sidelines.
Tomiyasu isn’t the first name on the team sheet at Arsenal but whenever called upon, he rarely drops below the required standard while filling multiple roles across the backline.
And former technical director of Barcelona’s academy, Ivan Palanco Santiago, believes the Arsenal star could have played for the Catalan club.
Tomiyasu could have played for Barcelona
Speaking to The Athletic, Palanco explained why he believes Tomiyasu could have joined Barcelona’s academy set-up as a youngster.
“I remember talking to his mum because we made a squad of the best players in our Japanese schools to go to Spain for a tournament,” the manager said. “He was the only player we chose twice, because he couldn’t join us the first time. He was playing for Avispa and he couldn’t join the expedition to Barcelona.
“We had to convince him to go to Barcelona with the next year’s group. I wanted Barcelona coaches in Spain to see him play, and I told his mum that. The next year, we chose him again and with the same purpose.
“He was one of the players I thought without any doubts could join Barcelona’s academy in Spain. I made a report and informed my bosses. The problem was, it’s not easy to move a Japanese player because you are dealing with a person. If you want to move a player from Japan to Spain, you must consider everything.”
Tomiyasu proving to be a bargain for Arsenal
The Gunners paid just £20 million to snap up Tomiyasu from Bologna back in the summer of 2021.
He’s yet to establish himself as a regular starter but his importance to this current Arsenal side is undeniable.
The Japanese defender is able to operate across the backline and will rarely drop a bad performance, regardless of where he is playing.
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