Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has called for the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations to be switched to the end of the European domestic seasons.
Both tournaments take place in January, which forces players to be away from their clubs for several weeks.
The Asian Cup, where Tomiyasu is representing Japan, has taken place in January since 2011. This year’s tournament was due to be held last summer in China, but the impact of Covid led to it being switched to Qatar.
It was moved to January due to the heat in the Middle East and the 2027 edition is expected to be played around the same time, as Saudi Arabia are the hosts.
“I want the Asian Cup to be played in June, the same as the Euros,” Tomiyasu told Standard Sport.
“I don’t know why we are playing in January - not only the Asian Cup but AFCON as well. It’s not good for the players. But it is what it is and I will really try to come back with the title.”
Tomiyasu made his comeback during Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Sunday after being out since early December with a calf injury.
The loss was Arsenal’s second one in a row and they have slipped to fourth in the Premier League.
“I am very disappointed because we wanted to win,” said Tomiyasu. “We needed to bounce back from the defeat against West Ham, but we couldn’t manage it. It was a horrible day.
“Against West Ham, I think we played well but we couldn’t win. Today was different, our performance did not deserve to win today and we lost. We need to focus on ourselves, what we are doing, what we have to do.
“Today we did not deserve to win and Mikel [Arteta] also said the same thing. We have to stick together. Every player has to think what I can do for the team.”
