Gabriel Martinelli: Arsenal star reacts as Takehiro Tomiyasu completes injury return
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Football Insider or go back to LFC Live.
Credit: Imago Mon 16 March 2026 9:07, UK Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli has led the tributes to former teammate Takehiro Tomiyasu after the Japanese defender made a successful return to professional football.Tomiyasu, whose contract at the Emirates was mutually terminated in July 2025 following a string of devastating knee injuries, made his full debut for Ajax on Saturday (March 14). It was his first competitive start in nearly two years, having been restricted to just six minutes of action during the entire 2024-25 Premier League campaign.Tomiyasu had been a key player for Mikel Arteta during his earlier years at the Emirates Stadium, but struggled to cope with recurring injuries throughout his time in London.
A massive knee injury ultimately left doubt that he would be able to return to action for the Gunners, and he instead signed for Ajax on a free transfer in December.Tomiyasu should have been an Arsenal transfer success story, but there is hope that he can avoid injuries and still enjoy a strong career elsewhere. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Thank you, Tomi ❤️We have reached a mutual agreement with Takehiro Tomiyasu to end his contract with immediate effect.— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 4, 2025 View Tweet 🔄 Arsenal Transfer Update 🔄 Breaking news on deals in progress, signings, departures, and contract news from the Emirates boardroom.
VISIT THE ARSENAL TRANSFER HUBGabriel Martinelli reacts to Takehiro Tomiyasu postTomiyasu was loved at Arsenal, with the defender always representing a popular figure in the dressing room, despite his injuries.He signed for the Gunners in 2021, arriving from Serie A side Bologna on transfer deadline day in a deal worth around £16million.Immediately, it was obvious that Arsenal had pulled off a bargain deal for a hugely talented player.Tomiyasu was technically superb, but also a fantastic one-versus-one defender and utterly dominant in the air.It was also his first season in which injuries struck, and unfortunately, they never really went away,In four seasons at the Emirates Stadium, not once did Tomiyasu manage to appear in more than 22 Premier League games.But on Saturday, for the first time in almost two years, the Japan international was named in a starting line-up as Ajax beat Sparta Rotterdam 4-0.Tomiyasu took to Instagram and shared pictures from the occasion, with Martinelli among the players to like the post.How did Tomiyasu perform on his return?It did not take Tomiyasu long to shake off the rust and start to look like the superb defender he still is.The 27-year-old was deployed at right-back and featured for 69 minutes as Ajax earned a clean sheet.Takehiro Tomiyasuvs Sparta RotterdamMinutes played69Clearances3Interceptions2Recoveries4Duels won4/6Fouled2Tomiyasu made several defensive contributions on the day, and was productive and progressive with his passing.He can be sure to have Arsenal faces watching on throughout his time at Ajax, including from his former teammates. 💰 ARSENAL INSIDER UPDATE 💰 Inside the transfer budget, player wages, new kits, off-pitch deals and boardroom developments at Emirates Stadium. Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the Emirates Stadium.