Arsenal summer signing left coaches stunned in his first training session – report

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Arsenal headed into the November international break in a very different position to when they went into the September international break.

Back then, the Gunners were bottom of the Premier League table, without a point or even a goal to their name.

But now, Arsenal will resume domestic action sitting fifth in the table, one place and just two points behind next opponents Liverpool.

The revival began against Norwich as the Gunners beat the struggling side 1-0 at the Emirates on 11 September.

Takehiro Tomiyasu made the starting XI just days after arriving at Arsenal following his deadline-day move.

After the international break, the Japan international met Gunners boss Mikel Arteta for the first time on Thursday.

And two days later, he started against the Canaries, looking impressive as Arsenal ran out 1-0 winners in north London.

Tomiyasu was taken off just after the hour, Arteta confirming after the game that the player was suffering from cramp.

“Obviously he only trained a day and a half with us, he had to travel, and emotionally it was his first game and we had to take him off,” he said.

According to The Athletic, Tomiyasu’s quality was clear right from his very first training session.

“The coaching staff decided to start Tomiyasu after the Japan international impressed in his first full training session,” wrote the outlet.

Two months on, and the 23-year-old has clocked up eight Premier League appearances, cementing his place at right-back.

Tomiyasu isn’t the only summer signing who has impressed early on at Arsenal – Ben White, Aaron Ramsdale and Nuno Tavares have also become fan favourites in a short amount of time.

And should the Gunners defeat Liverpool at Anfield this weekend, then it will cement the invigorated, new-look Arsenal as a bona fide top-four contender.