Arsenal in a race against time to register deadline day signing Takehiro Tomiyasu

Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal in for Bologna (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says deadline day signing Takehiro Tomiyasu might not be involved against Norwich due to work permit issues.

The right-back is still in his native country, Japan, but he is expected to arrive back in London later tonight.

Arsenal secured the signing of the right-back, who is also comfortable playing in central defence, just in time before the summer transfer window shut.

But the Gunners have been unable to register him because he travelled home to play against China, helping Japan to a 1-0 win.

Arteta is hoping that all the paperwork issues are sorted, and Tomiyasu can help the team get their first points - after three defeats that have left the Gunners rooted at the bottom of the league table.

What Arteta said

“We need a work permit first, the club is working hard to try and achieve that in the next couple of hours,” the Arsenal boss said.

"Tomiyasu has the ability to play anywhere in a back four, he gives us different qualities in that right-back position.

"He brings qualities that we didn’t have in the squad."

Five facts about Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu

Aged 11, he saw a trial fall through with Barcelona because his parents didn’t like idea of him living in another country.
The defender grew up wanting to become a professional swimmer but better at football.
He is has two sisters and grew up idolising Javier Mascherano.
He has played 24 times for his country and has a goal to his name.
Tomiyasu began his career playing as a holding midfielder.

Up next

The Gunners will hope to re-start their season on a positive note when they take on 19th placed Norwich on Saturday.

They have failed to score a goal in the league and lost all three of their opening games, conceding nine goals in the process.

This is the worst start to a season in the club’s history and Spanish manager Arteta will be hoping that he turns things around starting against Norwich and Burnley, before Wimbledon follow in the League Cup.