Arsenal loanee Ryo Miyaichi scored at the weekend. Can he build on it?
Japanese prospect Ryo Miyaichi made a real breakthrough at the weekend, scoring just his second goal in three years.
Miyaichi is currently on loan at Dutch side FC Twente, and has a mountain to climb if he is to earn a contract renewal at Arsenal before the end of the season.
Previously hailed as a star of the future, injuries and a lack of form have derailed his career, and his previous successful loan spell in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord seems a long time ago.
The last senior goal Miyaichi scored was three years ago in fact, out on loan at Bolton Wanderers, in a 2-0 FA Cup win away at Millwall in February 2012.
Beyond that the creative midfielder has only one strike to his name, for Arsenal’s under-21 side, and this weekend found the net for the first time this season, for Twente B.
It was an impressive goal, but again, it was a reserve league in Holland, a long way from doing so in the Champions League, as he had aspired to do for Arsenal by now.
Miyaichi may just need a little confidence, and this will certainly help him as he looks to get back on track.
The 22-year-old has eight appearances this season for Twente’s first team, and will hope this goal can provide the inspiration to earn a permanent deal at a good club, even if staying at Arsenal proves beyond him this summer.
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