Has Takehiro Tomiyasu just given Arsenal the perfect motive to pursue Ferdi Kadioglu, even after signing Riccardo Calafiori? Ideally, if Calafiori joined Arsenal, there would be no need to recruit another defender. However, the news that Takehiro Tomiyasu has a knee injury and will remain in London for treatment rather than fly to the US pre-season tour may serve as an incentive to sign a flexible fullback like Kadioglu.
🔴⚪️⚠️ Arsenal confirm that Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee problem) will remain in London to receive treatment and he will not travel to pre-season tour.
Same for Tierney due to hamstring injury. pic.twitter.com/i7AnurujMO
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 21, 2024
Tomiyasu is injury-prone; the fact that he might have stepped in for William Saliba in the 2022–23 season and was also missing due to injury after the winter break last season when he could have covered left back emphasises his unreliability at the Emirates stadium. His constant presence on the treatment table does not help Arsenal at all. We’ve paid the price for sticking with injury-prone Thomas Partey (before landing Rice and Jorginho, the team struggled without him). Instead of keeping Tomiyasu, we should cash in on him for a reliable, always-available player.
Despite the expectation that he will return soon, nothing is certain. The injury could sideline him for months; who knows? The positive news is that there’s another excellent Tomiyasu alternative, Ferdi Kadioglu, whom we can sign. The Turkish international is a player the club has been watching closely, and they know that, like the injured Japanese star, he can cover both RB and LB.
In fact, he (Kadioglu) has matured into the explosive natural fullback profile that we have been missing. According to reports, Manchester United have entered the Kadioglu competition, but we have already reached out to the Fenerbahce player, who reportedly did agree to a transfer to the Emirates Stadium.
With intense games early in the season and the need to be off to a bright start unlike last season, plus the severe matchups in the restructured Champions League competition, we need every player available, even if it means cashing in on certain injury-prone individuals.
However, if we do not sign Kadioglu, I believe keeping Jakub Kiwior is a good idea.
What do you think?
Daniel O
Has Takehiro Tomiyasu just given Arsenal the perfect motive to pursue Ferdi Kadioglu, even after signing Riccardo Calafiori? Ideally, if Calafiori joined Arsenal, there would be no need to recruit another defender. However, the news that Takehiro Tomiyasu has a knee injury and will remain in London
Tomiyasu’s transfer value has likely dropped drastically. Kiwior must be kept unless Kadioglu is judged to be superior in the LB position and the sale of Kiwior can offset most of the cost of bringing in Kadioglu. Neither Calafiori nor Kadioglu are PL tested so we have to trust in MA’s evaluation of the situation. Tomi wasn’t either but his PL level skills have been fine coming from Bologna.
I don’t know man. At this point our defense has enough bodies and you’ll have to move someone on to create space. Besides,buying yet another fullback could impact our ability to strengthen in other areas of the pitch. If you were to get Kadioglu,that would probably take our spending beyond £100m already if you add Raya and Calafiori. Where does that leave us with midfield and attack?
Don’t really need Kadioglu and as much as I like Tomiyasu, Timber will be our starter at left back, and if and when we sign Calafiori the left side is sorted, also with Kiwior if he’s not sold.
Not being funny GB but timber will not be our starting left back if we are spending 45 mil on Calafiori ,unless Gabriel is getting shafted and he goes in at LCB ,but apparently it’s a masterstroke buying a new left back so I would imagine that is where he gets plonked .
It wouldn’t surprise me if timber gets moved to defensive midfield ,but what do I know ,Arteta/edu (lol) they are the magicians .
Dan, I was thinking that if we do get Calafiori (still not done) he could be the DM to play with Rice. Just my opinion.
I’m not sure Timber is ready to start or play a lot of minutes. I feel like fans are putting undue pressure and expectations on a player who has not played much on the back of a very serious injury. I’d rather the player is reintroduced slowly,getting minutes here and there.
I agree. Look at the impact Jesus had before and then after his injury, and the injury happened after he already had a chance to fully acclimate to the team.
We seem to acquire more than our share of players who prove to be injury prone?
Sure seems that way. Even those who weren’t injury prone prior to getting here like Partey. It seems that one of the most important areas of a club is having a great set of physios who work with players well individually (because every player is at least a little different) to effectively prevent injuries before they happen and a manager who will listen to those professionals.
As mentioned, Arsenal have enough bodies to cover key defensive areas. Energy and recourses should be spent elsewhere.
Please elaborate your statement.
I don’t see any backups for Saliba and Gabriel currently. White is not as good as CB, not at the same level as Saliba and Gabriel. Kiwior isn’t as well, and not Timber as well.
How did you think we have enough bodies to cover key defensive areas? Are you expecting Saliba and Gabriel to play every match in the season?