The Japanese international will now search for a new club after leaving North London in a move that many fans had predicted would happen after he played just 5 minutes of last season under manager Mikel Arteta.
Tomiyasu joined the Gunners in 2021 from Bologna in a deal worth £19.8M and quickly established his place in the first team as a strong backup in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. However, injuries took their toll on the 26-year-old and he slowly fell out of the side as Arteta favoured young talent such as Miles Lewis-Skelly.
Now, he has spoken to DAZN Japan about his decision to leave the side which he says was a mutual decision.
“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.”
He then explained how much he struggled last season but also how much he was loved by players, fans and the club overall who had welcomed him with open arms and were saddended to see him leave.
“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.”