Arsenal rejected chance to sell right-back - Fabrizio Romano

Arsenal turned down the opportunity to sell Takehiro Tomiyasu during last summer's transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Japan international had a tough 2022/23 season with the Gunners. He missed most of the second half of the campaign after an injury.

With Jurrien Timber's arrival over the summer, there were suggestions that he could be sold, but that did not happen in the end.

Timber suffered a serious knee injury in the curtain-raiser. Regardless of this, the Gunners had no plans of parting ways with Tomiyasu.

The former Bologna man has looked back to his best this term. He recently starred at left-back against Sevilla in the Champions League.

The 24-year-old can play anywhere in defence, but he seems to have secured the left-back spot ahead of Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Zinchenko has been underwhelming with his performances this term and he will need to work hard to regain his spot from Tomiyasu.

Tomiyasu has excelled from the inverted left-back role. As he is strong with either foot, he has comfortably adapted to his new position.