Yesterday it was announced that Takehiro Tomiyasu would be following Ben White in signing a new contract. But everything was not as clear cut as the White deal.
Tomiyasu had signed on until 2026, representing a 2 year deal, or a year extension on his current ones. This led to a lot of scratched heads.
My first thought was “has he actually signed a new deal, or is this Arsenal triggering a one-year extension clause”. As it turns out, this was a completely new deal which Tomiyasu was happy to agree.
As time went on, it transpired that the new 2-year deal included a further year option for Arsenal, so in essence it was a new 3-year contract. This is still extremely short for a 25-year-old to agree to.
After more reflection, I came up with two reasons why this deal happened.
The first is it shows where Arsenal are as a club right now. Players want to sign on that dotted line. They want to be involved in the Mikel Arteta journey. So even though the length of the contract was not favourable, Tomiyasu would rather give another 1-2 years to The Arsenal then turn down the deal, leave in the summer and join someone like Aston Villa or Newcastle.
The second is Tomiyasu himself.
On signing his contract, Tomi said: “I am so happy to extend my contract because Arsenal is the best club in the world. It’s a dream to play for this club, so I’m happy.
“When I’m on the pitch I feel the love and energy from the supporters. We are connected a lot so I want to give them something back. I am playing for Arsenal, and this means I’m playing for the Arsenal supporters. That’s why I dedicate my life to this club and the supporters.
“I want to give them something back. The connection between players and supporters is a different level and that makes it more special.”
The first part of his statement shows that he has bought into Arteta’s project and where Arsenal are right now. The second shows that he feels that he owes the club and fans something following his injury issues.
Since joining the club in 2021, he has suffered 4 major injuries that have led him to miss over 40 games for The Arsenal. He clearly feels some sort of guilt over that, and wants to repay the club and fans for sticking by him.
The new deal means that he probably gets another 2-years at the club to show that he can stay fit. And we know that if he keeps fit he can be a big part of our future. If he does not stay fit, Arsenal have not invested too much into him, will trigger the extension in 2026 and sell him.
At 25-years-old, Tomiyasu is also not in “last contract” terrority.
I imagine the money he will be in will be in and around £100k a week. Not many clubs in England or Europe would pay him (or others) that. And if he leaves at 27, he will still be young enough to get another 5-year deal elsewhere.
In the past, we have seen clubs – including Arsenal – offer 5-year deals to players with Tomiyasu’s injury record. And in that 5-years we rarely see them play and are stuck with them until their contract runs down. At least with this deal with can release for free after 2 more seasons, or extend that deal and try and get a fee for him.
It is not very often that you see a player agree to less favourable terms. The 2-year deal is completely in Arsenal’s favour. But this just shows that Tomi wants to be part of Arsenal’s future and repay the fans for their support.
Other news for yesterday is that the Munich away tickets have been announced.
We should get around 3,700, so I am not sure why the club are starting them at 50+ credits. What is odd is that they then advertise all the way down to 10+. They usually advertise down to where they think they will sell out so not sure why they start at 50+ if they predict it will go to 10+.
There can not be more than 3,000 with 30+, and this is further highlighted that once it goes down in 10s below 40+.
The last bit of news is that some places are linking us to a move for Juventus’s Adrien Rabiot. It is a deal I can not see happening.
Whilst his contract does run out at the end of the year, he will certainly not be “free” as his mum will demand inflated wages, a huge signing on fee and a big wad of cash for herself.
Rabiot turns 29 in April and I feel he is a wasted talent – he has never fulfilled his potential.
There has always been a feeling that one-day it might click for him. But at his old age now, those times are running out. He does have the physical and technical ability to play deep into his late 30s at a high level, but I think the time for us sniffing around someone like Rabiot it gone.
Better to buy someone younger, hungrier, who does not have a troublesome history.
Enjoy your Thursday.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 