Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has revealed he was set for a move to north London rivals Tottenham on transfer deadline day in the summer.
The Japan international - who turned 23 on Friday - has impressed in his seven appearances for the Gunners following a £20million move from Bologna on the final day of the window in August.
The versatile defender signed a four-year deal at Emirates Stadium, but was also linked with a move to Spurs during the summer window before they signed Emerson Royal from Barcelona.
But Tomiyasu has now revealed he believed he would end up signing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium instead, only for talks to break down and him to link up with Mikel Arteta's side once the Gunners came calling.
'I thought I wasn't able to join Arsenal,' he told DAZN Japan.
'I thought I was going to Spurs. On deadline day, the move broke down. Arsenal asked me to join them and I did immediately.'
Tomiyasu was targeted for his versatility, providing cover for £50m centre-back Ben White at centre-back as well as his more natural position of right-back.
White recently talked up Tomiyasu's talents in an interview with Astro SuperSport, saying: 'He's such a nice guy. He fitted straight in when he came. All the boys love him and he's doing the business on the pitch as well. He is doing really well.'
Spanish boss Arteta has also been left 'delighted' with Tomiyasu's adaptation to English football, and believes he is helping the team keep calm under pressure.
Speaking after last weekend's 2-0 win at Leicester, Arteta told Arsenal's official website: 'I am delighted to have him, first of all as a person he is such a great character.
'He is doing all the right things, top professional and I think he is giving us a lot of composure in the backline, the way he defends and understands the work that we want to do with him.
'So he's been top. His adaptation to be a defender in this country, the way he's done it, I think he deserves a lot of credit.'
Tomiyasu has however yet to register a goal or assist for his new club, but will hope to change that when the Gunners taken on Watford at Emirates Stadium on Sunday in their final game before the international break.
