Ben White has heaped praise on Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, claiming that he is the best right-back he has ever played alongside.
Since joining Arsenal from Bologna in the summer transfer window, Tomiyasu has had a terrific start to life in north London.

Mikel Arteta’s side have had a regular right-back in the 23-year-old, who has made 16 Premier League starts for the north London side.

Tomiyasu has swiftly established himself as one of the main figures in Arteta’s Arsenal team this season as a result of his impressive performances for the Gunners in recent weeks.

White, who joined Arsenal in the summer transfer window, has now stated that playing with Tomiyasu is a “honor” and that he is “delighted” to be working with the Japan star at The Emirates.

“Tomi is incredible. He’s the best right-back I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing with. He’s always on the lookout for something to do. It’s a privilege to play beside him,” White told DAZN Japan.

“Tomi is a world-class performer when it comes to the little things. He is always on the lookout and isn’t sloppy when it comes to gaming.

“Right from the start, he understood English and spoke as fluently as I do.”

Tomiyasu debuted for Japan at the senior level in 2018 and has since made 28 appearances for the national team.

Due to injury, the Japanese defender missed Arsenal’s 1-0 FA Cup third-round loss to Nottingham Forest on Sunday night, and Arteta said after the game that he was unsure whether the full-back would be fit for the League Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool FC on Thursday night.

“Again, it depends,” Arteta remarked on Sunday evening when asked if Emile Smith Rowe and Tomiyasu will be in contention to play on Thursday. They were wounded and unable to participate in the game. Gabi [Gabriel] was placed on leave. I’ll have to check how they were in a few days.”

Arsenal’s next Premier League match is against Tottenham Hotspur in a north London derby on Sunday afternoon.