Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has moved to block a return to Serie A for Takehiro Tomiyasu.

The Japan defender, formerly of Bologna, is a target for Inter Milan and Atalanta.

Tomiyasu is open to a return to Italy, but Gunners manager Mikel Arteta doesn't want to lose the defensive utility.

Arteta played Tomiyasu on Saturday for victory over Nottingham Forest as a substitute for the injured Jurrien Timber.

As such, the Gunners manager Arteta is insisting he must stay for the season.