3 – Takuma Asano
- Age: 21
- Nationality: Japanese
- Career Club Appearances: 86
- Transfer Fee: Undisclosed
What can we say about Asano? That’s a question many of the writers at Fresh Arsenal have been asking themselves for the past few weeks, because even Wenger surprised us on this one.
If the boss’ experience in signing Asian talent is anything to go by then we should call time on Asano already, with Park Chu-Yung and Ryo Miyaichi both failing to impress.
However, in the most demanding position on an Arsenal squad sheet, the 21-year-old is ready to prove the doubters wrong having already insisted he’s ready to do whatever it takes.
Although he’s almost definitely going to be sent out on loan this season, Wenger has branded the forward as a massive asset for the future. Yep, another one!
But in all seriousness, the lighting quick Japan international has all the qualities to play the Gunners fast paced game and he can be a favourite when it comes to counter-attacking football.
His experience in national football will be pivotal to help him fit into the newly formed Under-23’s side where he’s likely to play the majority of his football for the next couple of years.
And that’s the simple fact here, Asano is one for the future and unless he can get a loan spell at a top Championship club there’s no chance of him making an impact in the first team for a while.
At this moment in time young duo Chuba Akpom and Yaya Sanogo start ahead of Asano in the selection procedure, so he’ll have to show the boss what he can do with goals, goals and more goals.
The physical nature of the game will be a massive change for Asano and the transition will be a long one, but hopefully Wenger has picked out another gem here.
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