Defender makes surprise Arsenal departure as ex-Man Utd star agrees deal

Daily Mirror

6 hours ago

Mikel Arteta's coaching staff will welcome in a former Manchester United defender during pre-season, while decision to terminate Takehiro Tomiyasu's contract with a year to go has been met by surprise
Mikel Arteta's coaching staff is set to be boosted by the arrival of former Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze ahead of the new campaign.
But the Gunners are bidding farewell to Takehiro Tomiyasu following a shock mutual agreement to terminate his contract 12 months early. The Japan defender struggled with injury for much of last season but it is unclear why the decision has been made to part ways considering Arteta has spoken admiringly about him throughout his stay in north London.
‌
Arsenal will also not be selling Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard in the summer window with the emphasis remaining on strengthening their attack with a little more than a month to go until the new Premier League campaign gets underway.
‌
Here are the transfer tales worth keeping tabs on from in and around the Emirates Stadium.
Tomiyasu termination
Defender Takehiro Tomiyasu will leave the club after an agreement was reached to terminate his contract. Tomiyasu, 26, played just six minutes of football last season following knee surgery in 2023.
The defender is expected to be ruled out for five more months after undergoing another operation in February. Tomiyasu's current deal is due to expire at the end of next season but he will depart the Emirates a year early.
The Japan international joined Arsenal from Italian side Bologna in 2021 for £16million plus potential add-ons after snubbing rivals Tottenham.
He spent much of last season sidelined by a series of niggling injuries.
Duo not for sale
Arsenal are not planning to sell Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard this summer as things stand - but five fringe players are expected to be moved on before the transfer window closes.
‌
The Gunners have big plans this summer after finishing second in the Premier League for a third consecutive year and strengthening in attack is a priority. The club are searching for a new No.9 and an elite-level left winger, with further additions in midfield also planned.
Talk that Arsenal are looking for new faces in attack has, in turn, sparked speculation over some of Mikel Arteta 's current players.
But two of his forwards will not be allowed to leave.
‌
Heinze addition
Former Manchester United star Gabriel Heinze will be added to Mikel Arteta 's coaching staff ahead of the new season. The Gunners have already had a coaching reshuffle ahead of the fresh campaign with former assistant Carlos Cuesta having departed for Parma.
That departure has left Arteta with a vacancy to fill and it appears that he has turned to someone that he knows quite well in Heinze. As per The Athletic, the former Red Devils defender is set to be appointed at the Emirates as a replacement for Cuesta.
‌
Arteta and Heinze already have a prior relationship having been teammates at French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Explaining the impact that the Argentinian had on him, Arteta said: 'The other inspirations were (Mauricio) Pochettino and Heinze, those two were next to me all the time, behind me, and they were guiding me in everything I had to do in my professional life, how I had to understand the game and they were inspirational to me."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.