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Arsenal legend and prominent pundit Thierry Henry has slammed Gunners right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu for his role in Bayern Munich's winner in their UEFA Champions League encounter.
Arsenal visited the Allianz Arena for the second leg of their quarterfinal match-up on Wednesday, April 17, with the tie poised 2-2 after the first leg. Joshua Kimmich scored the only goal on the night, heading home from Raphael Guerreiro's cross in the 63rd minute to give Bayern a win on aggregate.
Tomiyasu, who started at left-back, played a role in the goal. The Japanese first failed to stop Leroy Sane from delivering a cross that eventually ended up at Guerreiro's feet at the other post. He then didn't see Kimmich make a late run into the box and was caught in no man's land as the German headed the ball in.
This saw Tomiyasu and Gabriel Martinelli, who was beaten by Sane prior to the cross, receive criticism from CBS Sports' panel. However, Henry, who was on the panel, singled out Tomiyasu for criticism while re-watching the play and said (via HITC):
“Can I play the devil’s advocate? Can we show that goal again? If I am the winger there defending for Tomiyasu. You are going to see Martinelli defending on Leroy Sane. I invite you to look at what Tomiyasu does, so Martinelli has to defend and you are doing his job right now.
“You go all the way there (the ball is switched to Guerreiro out wide). Now, please stay with Tomiyasu. What is Leroy Sane going to do there? (He goes off the pitch) You (Tomiyasu) are looking at him. He can’t score! Close the gap. He can’t score!”
The Arsenal legend went on to add:
“It’s dependent on you. What is he going to do? He isn’t even in the frame. This is where he was, I know I am going far, he was going there (Henry proceeds to walk out of the picture to demonstrate how far Sane went off the pitch). How is he going to score?! Close the gap!”
Takehiro Tomiyasu endured a mixed game in Arsenal's loss to Bayern Munich
Tomiyasu's performance against Bayern Munich will likely be viewed from the lens of his role in Kimmich's tie-winner by both fans and pundits. However, overall, the defender, playing on the left rather than in his preferred right-back position, had a mix of good and bad moments against the Bavarians.
He was dribbled past twice, won just five of his 10 ground duels and lost possession nine times. The Arsenal man did, however, complete 24 of his 27 pass attempts, make three tackles, record a key pass and complete both his dribble attempts.
Additionally, Tomiyasu helped keep Sane down to just two shots (zero on target) and zero key passes. The German also lost possession eight times.
