Ajax defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has opened up on his injury struggles at Arsenal, and a lingering frustration that his time with the Gunners didn’t go how he wanted.
Ajax Showtime report comments from the 27-year-old defender today, from an interview with Ajax Life. He is trying to rebuild his career at the Dutch club following a frustrating few years at the Emirates.
Injury woes ruined Arsenal story
Takehiro Tomiyasu’s time at Arsenal started brightly, but the momentum didn’t last. A series of calf and knee injuries derailed his progress and left him fighting just to stay available.
The defender has missed at least seven games every season since the 19/20 campaign. That’s seen him spend at least 57 days out of action. His longest absences. In the 2024/25 campaign, totalled 435 days over three injures and 57 games missed in total.
It wasn’t what the Japanese international had imagined for himself. And he admits it was hard to take.
“I could never have imagined that I would be hit so hard at Arsenal, because I am actually very careful with my body,” he said.
“Perhaps more than anyone else. The first six months in London were fantastic. I was living the dream.
“In four years, I played an average of about twenty matches. Normally, you are already close to sixty in a single season. In hindsight, it wasn’t the memory I wanted to create there. But it is what it is.”
The defender says he still doesn’t fully understand why his body broke down so often.
“I would understand it if I handled it incorrectly. You have players who party after a match and never get injured. I wasn’t doing anything crazy at all, yet it happened to me. You get frustrated for a moment.”
Acceptance, patience and a new perspective
The 27-year-old eventually came to an agreement with Arsenal to terminate his contract last summer. He then spent five months as a free agent, before joining Ajax in December.
He’s since made seven appearances in all competitions for the Dutch club, totalling 205 minutes overall.
Those aren’t the numbers he’d be hoping for but, he insists that he’s now reached a point of acceptance. And that keeps him moving forward post Arsenal.
“If you give up, it’s over. So, you just don’t stop!” he said. “Eventually you realize in life, things happen that you cannot control. What’s the point of getting worked up about it? Life goes on.”
He explained how he shifted his mindset during long spells away from the pitch.
“Every day there is something you can work on. For example, if you’re not on the field, you have the gym. Or you go spend time with your family and friends. I had to… be patient.”