Takehiro Tomiyasu revealed that a huge motivation for signing a new contract at the club is to give something back to his teammates and our supporters.
The Japanese international put pen to paper to extend his stay in north London which started back in August 2021, and he has played a key role in helping us progress since then.
Having become a real fan favourite for his displays in our defence, Tomi wants to repay the love shown to him from the stands in the form of silverware during his future years at Emirates Stadium.
Reflecting on today’s announcement, he said: “I am so happy to extend my contract because Arsenal is the best club in the world. It’s a dream to play for this club, so I’m happy.
“When I'm on the pitch I feel the love and energy from the supporters. We are connected a lot so I want to give them something back. I am playing for Arsenal, and this means I'm playing for the Arsenal supporters. That's why I dedicate my life to this club and the supporters.
“I want to give them something back. The connection between players and supporters is a different level and that makes it more special.”
He may be only 25, but Tomi has already packed so much into his career, having played in four countries, and represented his country at a World Cup and various other international tournaments.
Now he finds himself playing for a team sitting top of the Premier League and in the last eight of the Champions League, but excitingly for all Gooners, he feels that everyone hasn’t seen the best of him yet. He’s striving to unlock his full potential in the coming seasons, even if he laughs that at his young age, he is one of the older members of a very youthful squad!
Reflecting on our evolution since his arrival, he said: “I think we have improved a lot because when I joined, we were not playing in a European competition but now we are playing in the Champions League and we are in the title race. Hopefully I am better than before! I am still learning a lot of things from Mikel and my teammates. I still have the capacity to improve so I will try to be a better player and also a better person as well.
“We've got so many great players. I’m playing as a full-back at Arsenal but when I’m playing with the national team I am playing at centre-half so I am learning from the Arsenal defenders. They’re so good, there's a big competition between the players but it’s a good environment to be a better player so I’m happy to be here.
“I am not young any more! When you’re playing at Arsenal we’ve got a lot of young players and I’m getting older! I want to achieve something with my teammates and the supporters.”
Watch the full interview with Tomi by pressing play on the video above, or test your knowledge of his time at the club with our quiz
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