A Look At Arsenal’s Ryo Miyaichi

After a season of disappointment, frustration and unfulfilment, Arsenal will be looking for any possible grain of hope for the future. They have, and have had stacks of potential in their ranks, but it hasn’t paid off for seven years, though perhaps this gem they have been fortunate enough to find could change their luck at last.

Ryo Miyaichi, the 18 year-old Japanese winger has been receiving rave reviews in Holland where he has been loaned out to with Feyonard, and will return to Arsenal for pre-season with a determination and hope for success that Arsenal desperately need.

Wenger is hoping that Arsenal can secure a work permit for Miyaichi so he can play in the Premier League next season, but said that the player will have to continue prove over the summer that he is ready for that step: “I think he is good enough but if he is ready enough to have a place in our team, we will ask for a work permit and try to get him in.”

After watching several of Miyaichi’s performances for Feyonard, I, like many others am very impressed with his quality. On his début against Vitesse, he was named man of the match after playing 90 minutes, showing superb skill and drive, scary pace and a strong sense of bravery in a challenge.

He tore down the wing with tenacity, and put in several crosses from runs that he created totally individually. He has a very good engine in him, with bundles of energy, which is important to have in the Premier League, and was calm on the ball, finding a team mate the majority of the time.

His crosses may need working on, as many were cleared with ease, but he has grasped the hard bit – getting past the defenders, and no doubt under the guidance of Wenger his delivery will quickly improve. It is no wonder that he attracted clubs from around the world with performances like that at such a young age.

In 12 appearances for Feyonard, he has scored 3 and assisted four, showcasing the much desired abiltiy to settle in at a new club very quickly, and present his quality to the world, and more importantly to the watchful eye of Arsene Wenger. The Arsenal manager has noticed Miyaichi’s impressive performances, and he explained what he likes about him:

“What I like about Ryo is that he has good timing with his runs and understands when to go and where to go. That is something very important. He knows how to use his pace and he is an intelligent player.”

“He is a boy who went straight from school football to professional football and straight away was the best player in Feyenoord.”

“He looks a very promising boy and everybody who went to watch him has been hugely impressed by him. Ryo is a character and a great football player.”

A Netherlands journalist, Jaap De Groot of “De Telegraaf”, was also very enthused by Miyaichi’s performances in the Dutch League:

“He has got everything; he has got speed, he is very direct, he has skill, he can take people on, he scores goals and he has good technique. He loves the game as well. He is young and needs to mature but he is a very interesting player and could definitely be a star in the future.”

Praise indeed for the young Japanese winger – it seems Arsenal have found themselves a fantastic young prospect who could make an instant impact at The Emirates. Other additions may be needed for Arsenal, particularly in the defence and attacking department, but this is one addition that Arsenal fans should be excited about going into a fresh new season with the expectation of trophies once again on the side.

Watch a video of Miyaichi’s best bits here

Tell me what you think!

Submitted by DBSFootball