Japan international Takehiro Tomiyasu has explained his sudden departure from Arsenal.
On July 4 Arsenal announced that Tomiyasu had left by mutual consent.
Tomiyasu struggled with injuries during his time at Arsenal and only made one appearance last season, which came against Southampton.
Having undergone surgery in February, Tomiyasu remains out with a knee problem and it is quite unusual for players to leave a club while they are still sidelined.
Tomiyasu stated that he feels less anxious after leaving the club.
“I just wanted to let you know that I’m doing well today,” Tomiyasu told DAZN Japan. “There are a lot of things that I can’t say. It wasn’t a sudden decision to leave,” he clarified. First of all, I want to make it clear that my contract wasn’t terminated unilaterally by the club, and I didn’t unilaterally say ‘I’m leaving’.
“We had a proper discussion and came to the conclusion that ‘this decision is best for me, for the club, and for everyone, so I’m leaving’. It all ended amicably. I was there for four years, but I only played five minutes in the 2024-25 season, and I spent a whole year in rehabilitation. I was under a lot of stress and anxiety.
“After I decided to leave, I said my final goodbyes to the players, coaches, and staff. I went to the locker room or staff room one by one and said, ‘I’m leaving.’ As I said my goodbyes to each and every one of them, I was reminded that I was loved by them, and that was when I was able to leave. I think that was a good thing.”
