In the aftermath of Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat against Fulham, Patrick Vieira didn’t hold back in critiquing Takehiro Tomiyasu’s performance after the defender replaced Jakub Kiwior at left-back during the halftime break. Mikel Arteta’s team, suffering their second consecutive loss, faced a tough challenge at Craven Cottage. However, the introduction of Tomiyasu didn’t yield the desired impact, especially in the crucial left-back position that plays a significant role in Arteta’s tactical approach.
Vieira expressed his bewilderment at Tomiyasu’s display, emphasizing the player’s apparent struggle and confusion in adapting to a midfield role. Jamie Redknapp, commenting on Super Sunday, echoed Vieira’s sentiments, describing Tomiyasu as looking “lost” and likening him to “a fish up a tree” in the midfield. Redknapp questioned the decision to deploy Tomiyasu in an unfamiliar position, emphasizing that the player, primarily a right-back, seemed out of place and ineffective in midfield.
The criticism extended to Tomiyasu disrupting the team’s balance and lacking the width required for the left-back role. Redknapp highlighted the mismatch, pointing out that players like Rice or Odegaard might have been adversely affected by Tomiyasu’s presence in midfield. The struggles in the left-back position raised concerns about the team’s overall performance, as Arsenal had only secured one victory in their last six games across all competitions, leaving them in fourth place in the table.
As the January transfer window looms, there is anticipation among Arsenal fans for potential reinforcements. The recent dip in form has sparked speculation that Arteta might seek to strengthen the squad, with a focus on addressing the left-back position. The disappointing run of results has left some supporters hoping for a timely injection of new talent to rejuvenate the team and provide fresh ideas for the remainder of the season.
