Football: In-form Tomiyasu voted Arsenal's Oct. Player of the Month

Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was named Arsenal's Player of the Month for October on Thursday after winning 64 percent of votes from fans of the English Premier League club.

The versatile player, who scored his first goal for the Gunners on Saturday, was selected ahead of England duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, as well as Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus.

It was the second monthly prize for Tomiyasu, who turns 25 on Sunday, after he won his first for September 2021, right after arriving from Bologna in the Italian Serie A.

After playing the full 90 minutes in two Champions League games away to Lens and Sevilla last month, Tomiyasu came off the bench to open his Arsenal account during a 5-0 home league win over Sheffield United in his 50th appearance for the club.

Tomiyasu also made two more substitute appearances in the league earlier in October, contributing to the winning goal in Arsenal's late 1-0 victory over holders Manchester City before helping his team recover from 2-0 down to salvage a draw at Chelsea.

© Kyodo News