“We’re delighted that Ryo Miyaichi has joined us. He trialled with us in the summer and has raw ability which has attracted many clubs around the world. We wish him luck in Rotterdam with Feyenoord and we look forward to helping him with his continued progression when he returns to Arsenal.” – Arsene Wenger
In Miyaichi’s debut for Feyernoord against Vitesse Arnhem, he was awarded the Man of the Match award. This was followed with his first goal as well as an assist against Heracles Armelo that endeared the young lad into the hearts of the Dutch fans in Rotterdam. Miyaichi then had the game of his life when Feyernoord decimated Willem II as the Japanese bloke scored two goals and supplied two assists in the 6-1 victory.
This led the Dutch media to label him with the nickname, Ryodinho in comparison to the legendary Ronaldinho Gaucho. Following a very successful loan spell at Feyernoord where he notched up three goals in 12 games, Arsenal battled hard to get a conditional work permit for the lad on the grounds of being an ‘exceptional young talent’, which meant that Arsene Wenger wanted him to be part of his plans for the 2011/12 campaign.
However, he was limited to two League Cup appearances against Shrewsbury Town and Bolton Wanderers but he featured consistently for the Reserves. In the tail end of the campaign, Miyaichi suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for a lengthy spell. In the winter transfer window, Miyaichi was sent on loan to Bolton to go under the tutelage of Owen Coyle, the manager that worked wonders for Jack Wilshere and Danny Sturridge.
Ryo Miyaichi scored his first goal in English football inside the first five minutes in Bolton’s 5th Round victory over Millwall. Miyaichi used his great pace to reach a through ball before making a superb first touch to move the ball away from the defender. He opened his body up and scored a goal reminiscent of Park Chu-Young’s curler against Bolton.
Owen Coyle ran out of superlatives for the Japanese youngster:
“He showed what a talent he is. There’s other stuff he can learn, but he’s brave and tough – he stood up to some of the treatment he got – and he always plays with a smile on his face, which I absolutely love.”
Coyle added that he had been keen on the player for some time, even though he has only made two substitute appearances for the Gunners’ first-team, and was thrilled when Wenger gave him permission to take him on loan. After 14 appearances on loan for Lancashire outfit, Miyaichi returned to the Gunners with hopes of making his mark but he was sent on loan to Wigan Athletic, but his time with the Latics was marred by countless injuries.
Last season, the Japanese winger was further down the pecking order but he managed to get a handful of appearances in the Capital One Cup and a couple of substitute appearances in the Champions League. This summer, he has been shipped out again to FC Twente, and the Dutch side would be hoping that he can replicate the form he showed in his Feyernoord days.
The player himself has shared his thoughts following his move to the Dutch outfit,
‘Feyenoord in July had been interested, but FC Twente at the last moment were the only club who were really concrete. Here I can develop myself.
‘I think I’m stronger than four years ago, I have more confidence. When I played at Feyenoord, I was still a child. I’ve grown, although I am still only 21 years old’.
This move to FC Twente is Miyaichi’s fourth different club in five seasons at Arsenal and with his contract due to expire in 2016, this could be a defining move in his young fledgling career and I hope, for his sake, he does well at Holland. Twente lost their key man, Dusan Tadic, to Southampton this summer and in Miyaichi, they have a winger that creates space for others and he’s blessed with lightning pace and good dribbling ability.
I’d monitor his progress this season and we’d have to watch and see what the future hold for Ryo Miyaichi.
Sayonara.
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