Wenger had high hopes for speedster Arsenal signed in 2011, he’s just become a league champion

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Arsenal had high hopes for Ryo Miyaichi and the winger has now become a league champion for the first time at Yokohama F. Marinos.

Bukayo Saka is a great case of an Arsenal prospect who is living up to his billing.

Saka is not a vital first-team player for club and country but not everybody can quite hit that level.

Some players like Serge Gnabry and Donyell Malen had real hype in the Arsenal ranks but had to leave to thrive elsewhere.

Arsenal had high hopes for Ryo Miyachi

In the case of Japanese winger Miyaichi, it just never really worked out for him anywhere.

Miyaichi joined Arsenal back in 2011 and Arsene Wenger appeared to be very excited by the wide man.

Wenger hailed the speedy winger, claiming that he was a ‘fantastic surprise’ and a ‘very exciting prospect’ for Arsenal back in 2011.

Wenger’s history in Japanese football with Nagoya Grampus Eight gave him the inside track on Miyaichi and Arsenal thought they had a star.

Sadly, Miyaichi only ever played seven times for Arsenal at first-team level and spent most of his time out on loan at Feyenoord, Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic and Twente.

Arsenal quietly released Miyaichi in 2015 with the Japanese talent just unable to stay fit or really develop his game for the highest level.

Miyaichi settled down with St Pauli in Germany but injuries continued to plague him as he made just 80 appearances in six years.

Back in 2021, Miyaichi decided to return to Japan by signing for Yokohama F. Marinos.

Miyaichi managed three goals and three assists in 15 games this season but suffered a third torn ACL in September.

That was a real heartbreaker for Miyaichi but this weekend has given him arguably the biggest moment of his career.

Marinos beat Vissel Kobe 3-1 on Saturday to win the J1 League title, meaning Miyaichi is a league champion for the first time in his career.

Most Arsenal fans will absolutely love to see that, with Miyaichi finally able to celebrate a huge moment after suffering so many injuries in his career.