Arsenal star admits he needs more confidence

15 Sept 2023 16:59 BST
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has admitted that he needs a glow-up in confidence following his successful international break with Japan.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a good start at the Emirates after moving from Bologna back in the summer of 2021 - but he has fallen out of favour to Ben White, while last season he struggled with injury throughout.

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With Japan, the wing-back conceded that his mentality wasn’t there for a period with the Gunners, telling Football Zone after his nation’s 4-2 win over Turkey on Tuesday: "I had to convince myself, or rather, I needed to give myself confidence. In that sense, I felt like I needed to regain my confidence. I wondered if it had become a problem.

"But at Arsenal it’s different, so if you ask me if I can just do that at Arsenal, that’s a different story. At Arsenal, too, I need to do my best to secure a spot in the squad."

Jurrein Timber was also brought in over the summer, but the former Ajax player sustained an injury that is likely to keep him out for the majority of the campaign.

A fresh start

Tomiyasu has now set his mind on re-establishing himself under Mikel Arteta, hoping that he can emulate his performances with Japan for Arsenal.

He continued: "I’d like to say that, but I gained a lot of confidence from the way I played in these two international matches. My days at Arsenal are really demanding, so if you ask me if I’m going to regain my confidence completely, I can’t say 100 per cent yes.

"I really feel like I’m doing well at Arsenal. I just need to be confident when I am there. Of course, there were times when I lost confidence, honestly, I thought about a lot of things."Arsenal head to Everton on Sunday for their Premier League return, before they play PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates in a Champions League encounter on Wednesday.