Takehiro Tomiyasu says he feels “free” after agreeing to terminate his contract with Premier League side Arsenal a year early.
Arsenal and Tomiyasu agreed to part ways at the start of this month after the defender struggled with injures last season.
A knee issue restricted the Japan international to just six minutes of action in the 2024/25 campaign and he is due to be on the sidelines until the end of this year after undergoing surgery in February.
Tomiyasu’s injury woes led to him holding talks with Arsenal over ending his deal a year ahead of schedule.
The defender insists it was a mutual decision for him to leave early and he is now in a better place after cutting ties with Arsenal.
Takehiro Tomiyasu signed a new contract at Arsenal in 2024. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
“It wasn’t a sudden decision to leave,” Tomiyasu told DAZN Japan. “First of all, I want to make it clear that my contract wasn’t terminated unilaterally, and I didn’t unilaterally say: ‘I’m leaving’.
“We had a proper discussion and came to the conclusion that: ‘This decision is best for me, for the club, and for everyone’. So I’m leaving. It all ended amicably.
“From my perspective, it’s the best timing. I’ll be free, and most importantly, the most positive thing about this decision is that it will allow me to focus on my rehabilitation and on myself.
“I was there for four years, but I only played five minutes in the 2024-25 season, and I spent a whole year in rehabilitation.
“I was under a lot of stress and anxiety. To be honest, I wasn’t feeling like I was there anymore, and I was wondering: ‘Is this where my future is?’
“After I decided to leave, I said my final goodbyes to the players, coaches, and staff. I went to the locker room or staff room one by one and said: ‘I’m leaving.’
“As I said my goodbyes to each and every one of them, I was reminded that I was loved, and that was when I was able to leave.
“I think that was a good thing. The players were surprised, too, as I still had time left on my contract and I was injured.”
The 26-years-old will be eager to stage a comeback when he finally recover from his current injury. Tomiyasu joined Arsenal in 2021 and went on to make 65 appearances, scoring two goals.
