A player Arsenal released could be in line for a new clubplaceholder image
A player Arsenal released could be in line for a new club | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
A player Arsenal released could now be set to join a Champions League club on a free agent move.
A player Arsenal released in the summer could be set for a Champions League. Players who are released from clubs like Arsenal don’t usually struggle to find new jobs quickly, even if they have to take a step down, but the situation has been much more complicated for one player.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has had a torrid time with injury, missing over a year after a knee injury that required further surgery following an initial spell out. The once treasured Arsenal full-back was ultimately released by the Gunners, with the two parties deciding to end the contract their contract, and he remains without a club today.
The defender later opened up on the situation, explaining to DAZN in Japan: “It wasn’t a sudden decision to leave. First, I want to make it clear that this wasn’t a one-sided contract termination, nor did I suddenly say ‘I want to leave.’ It was a decision made after thorough discussions with the club.
“We concluded that, ‘this is the best outcome for me, the club, and everyone involved.’ That’s why I left early — it was a peaceful departure, a mutual closure. I was at Arsenal for four years, but in the 2024–25 season, I only played five minutes. I spent the entire year in rehabilitation.
“During that time, I was under a lot of pressure and uncertainty. Honestly, my heart wasn’t really in it anymore. I started asking myself, ‘Do I really have a future here?’ With all those factors [yes, I was thinking about leaving], I definitely had that thought.
“Once I had decided to leave, I went around saying goodbye to my teammates, coaches, and staff. I walked into the locker room, the staff offices, and told each person, ‘I’m leaving.’ Through this process, I truly felt again that I was really loved by everyone here. That made me very happy. My teammates were surprised too, since I still had a contract, and I was still recovering from injury.”
On his future, Tomiyasu added: “For me, this was the best timing. Becoming a free agent allows me to focus on rehab and myself. That’s the most positive and meaningful part of this decision.”
Tomiyasu was a reliable operator for Arsenal in both the Premier League and Champions League, and there is no doubt that his injury played a significant role in his status diminishing at the club.
Finally a return for Tomiyasu?
The Japan international’s difficulty in finding a new club at this point is also down to his injury, with clubs always going to be careful in signing a player who has been out for so long with a knee injury.
According to Voetbal International, though, Ajax are now considering a move for Tomiyasu, seeing him as a possible solution to their current defensive issues. Ajax are bottom of the Champions League table, headed for a league phase departure having failed to pick up a single point, and as low as fourth in Eredivisie and already 14 points behind leaders PSV. The Dutch side will be scrapping to qualify for Europe next season.
But Tomiyasu surely won’t be too fussy over his new club after a long wait to find a new club after leaving Arsenal. The full-back needs a club to take a chance on him and his injury, and there is certainly big upside at a club like Ajax.
What was Tomiyasu’s injury?
In the interview with DAZN, Tomiyasu explained his troubling knee issue. “It’s the cartilage in my knee. Initially, it was the medial collateral ligament,” he said.
“There are all kinds of people helping with treatment, but I never really knew which method was the right one. I’ve been to JISS (Japan Institute of Sports Sciences), and I’ve gathered people around me in Japan whom I trust so I can focus on my recovery.”
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