Asano actually happened?
Well just when you thought that it couldn’t be true, the unthinkable happens. In fact, in all honesty we should have expected the signing of Asano to be pulled through. We all joked, laughed, and thought that it was just another silly rumour pulled out of a magic hat. But no, the signing is in typical Arsenal style and reeks of Arsene Wenger all over.
Arsenal have today confirmed the signing of Takuma Asano, a young, unknown Japanese striker on a long term deal.
Asano scored nine goals in 34 appearances last year in the Japanse J1 league, which I think is really concerning for a player supposedly expected to be a top talent, according to Wenger anyway. On the signing of Asano, Wenger said: “Takuma is a talented young striker and very much one for the future. He has had an impressive start to his career in Japan and we look forward to him developing over the next couple of years.”
The other concern is that although Wenger mentions that he is a player for the future, Asano is already 21 years old. With the player unlikely to make too many appearances next season and an expected while to adapt to a much harder league than Japan’s J1 league, I can see Asano going the same way as Yaya Sanogo. It’s uncertain what Arsenal have paid for the striker, or what wages he will be on in North London.
Asano may turn out to be a great player some day in the future, and if he does then I’m sure we will all look back and think what rash judgments were made on this young man. But in a period of time when the fans are calling for experienced, world class players, players that will make us title contenders once again, the signing of Asano is nothing but disappointing. Let’s not judge the prodigy striker just yet, we must support the signing of him, but you cannot help but feel so so furstrated by Arsenal, especially with some of the signings our rivals are making.
By AH