Takehiro Tomiyasu signs a new long-term contract with Arsenal.
The defender’s current contract expires in 2025, but he has an option to extend it for a further 12 months.
Arsenal began contract negotiations with Tomiyasu in November, but now Tomiyasu is expected to sign new terms.
The Japanese international has been in great form this season and attracted interest from Bayern Munich ahead of last month’s transfer deadline.
However, Arsenal have made it clear that they have no intention of selling the defender as he is considered a valuable member of the squad.
Tomiyasu has been with Japan for the past four weeks in the Asian Cup, but Iran knocked them out in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
It means the 25-year-old could return to the Arsenal squad this weekend when they play away to West Ham, which would be a timely relief as Oleksandr Zinchenko was sent off at half-time in Sunday’s win over Liverpool with a calf injury.
Tomiyasu has played in every position in defence this season and could play at left-back in Zinchenko’s absence.
“I have always said that I really believe that Tomi will be a huge asset for us once he gets a permanent contract,” Arsenal boss Arteta said at the start of the season.
“He can play in any position in the backline, in any formation in the backline, we have no other player like him.
“In defence, he is probably one of the best I have seen in many situations. If Tomi is physically on top, we will have a player that is so important for us.”
Arsenal paid £16m for Tomiyasu from Serie A side Bologna in the summer of 2021.
He has settled in north London and said at the start of this season how he feels “at home” at Arsenal.
“In fact, I probably talk more in the Arsenal dressing room than I did when I was with the Japanese national team,” he said.
“I’m not the most vocal person and they would say that in the national team. But it’s good, I feel at home.”
