Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu made his Arsenal debut on Saturday, helping his new side claim their first win of the season with a 62-minute stint in the 1-0 home win over Norwich City in the English Premier League.
The 22-year-old deadline-day signing from Italian side Bologna slotted in at right-back and put in a solid all-around performance, even going close to scoring with a well-taken volley that flew narrowly over the bar before the break.
"Really positive...The moment he steps on the pitch he was really focused, determined, he understands the role really good," manager Mikel Arteta, under pressure after his North London team began the campaign with three straight defeats, said on his latest signing.
Tomiyasu, who played a World Cup qualifier for Japan in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, was substituted just past the hour mark before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang bundled home the 68th-minute winner, the Gunners' first goal of the season.
"He was cramping. 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," Arteta said.
In the Netherlands, Ritsu Doan scored his first goal of the season as PSV Eindhoven beat AZ Alkmaar 3-0 away, maintaining their spot atop the Eredivisie after their fourth straight win.
The attacking midfielder came on 10 minutes into the second half and scored PSV's third in the 83rd minute, cutting in from the right before curling the ball into the far corner from the edge of the box with his favored left foot.
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Football: Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu joins Arsenal
