Wenger Influence Sealed Miyaichi Deal

Arsène Wenger’s wise words and his huge desire to complete the deal was the key factors in Ryo Miyaichi agreeing a switch to Arsenal over Ajax, the Japan Under 17 international has revealed.

Miyaichi will sign a five year development contract with the Gunners in December when his scholarship with Chukyo University expires. Ryo is expected in London at the end of the month for further checks on his cracked fibula, sustained during a trial game with Ajax against SVV Scheveningen. The injury initially ended the interest of both club’s but further scans revealed the fibula isn’t as badly damaged as initially thought and the prospect is looking at weeks rather than months out.

Ryo had earlier impressed when he featured in two of Arsenal’s second-string matches during pre-season, playing 60 and 45 minutes against Boreham Wood and AFC Wimbledon. The tricky left winger did enough in those matches to impress, and speaking to press back home in Japan, the youngster revealed a conversation he had with Wenger when the contract was offered;

“Mr Wenger told me that Arsenal is my home and I that should learn some English and come back soon”

“It was difficult to choose between Arsenal and Ajax, but Arsenal wanted me the most”

Miyaichi is a 180cm winger who can play on either flank. Predominantly right footed, the youngster is just at home on his left foot and brings speed, an awesome dribbling ability and a real eye for goal. He’s expected in England at the end of September.

83 thoughts on “Wenger Influence Sealed Miyaichi Deal

  • September 3, 2010 at 4:01 pm
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    “It was difficult to chose between Arsenal and Ajax”

    Who’s he kidding?

    Reply
    • September 3, 2010 at 4:19 pm
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      Ajax have a really good academy, so it is a must’ve been a difficult choice.

    • September 4, 2010 at 7:32 am
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      arsenal might be a bigger club, but ajax also have a great reputation for bringing up youngsters. for an aspiring young player ajax and the dutch league might provide more first team action than arsenal and the epl.

      that is a huge choice. im glad that wenger plays such a part in influencing youngsters to come to arsenal, as i think for some young players arsenal and england can present a very daunting prospect. alot of first team managers dont take the time.

      think before you speak mate.

    • September 5, 2010 at 10:17 am
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      Arsenal Legend, Dennis Bergkamp came from ajax.. enough said.

    • October 1, 2010 at 9:21 pm
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      exactly !

  • September 3, 2010 at 4:15 pm
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    Choosing between Arsenal and Ajax is a no brainer, what on earth was he talking about lol
    Ajax cant even get near the Eredevise these days and we all know about the quality of the dutch league……….

    Reply
    • September 3, 2010 at 9:05 pm
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      they`ve finished second last season with equal number of points as the champions ….
      and they`ve scored the most amount of goals…

    • September 3, 2010 at 11:57 pm
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      Taking off my Arsenal hat,

      Wenger is a big factor, if he was not there then I would always choose Ajax. As their academy is on a par with Barcalona and ours.

      The dutch league is best for developing technique. His development would be much quicker as he would be that much closer to the first team.

  • September 3, 2010 at 4:17 pm
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    Mayner

    I think it would be a difficult choice, Ajax are pretty much second to none when it comes to bringing on young talent. We have done well over the last few years, but Ajax have been doing it for decades.

    Reply
    • September 4, 2010 at 1:47 am
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      It isn’t Arsenal, it is Arsene. Arsene is literally Arsenal at this point. Every thing about this club comes back to one guy. From the way we are ran financially, to the youth setup, to the style of play. It is often that a manager is in control of so much.

  • September 3, 2010 at 4:18 pm
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    Interesting. May well compete with Wellington for a starting place

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 4:20 pm
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    he was just being polite, he’d have always signed for arsenal, but on him im very excited to see him play he sounds great!

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 4:22 pm
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    Excellent bit of reporting once again Mr Sanderson

    I’ve now made up my mind that your either the lost son off Arsene or you have some relative in the camp

    How you get your sources, well done and keep it coming

    Do you think he will have trouble getting a work permit?

    Reply
    • September 4, 2010 at 10:21 am
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      Ha ha, it looks like Sanderson has logged in as someone else.

  • September 3, 2010 at 4:24 pm
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    He is paying respect to a team that has tried to acquire him and was interested. It was more diplomatic rather than a true statement of facts.
    leave him alone, he seems to be even smart.

    Reply
    • September 3, 2010 at 6:49 pm
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      Well said.

    • September 3, 2010 at 10:18 pm
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      ‘japanese speak’ at work here… that’s their way to minimize the chance ajax would feel losing face when their offer wasn’t accepted…smart boy

      but he got to bulk up.. and with the height, it’d be awesome when he gets to 20, 21 ….

  • September 3, 2010 at 4:25 pm
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    it was probably a tough decision cos he’d get games at ajax. this is clearly a marketing move, he’ll never be a first team player

    Reply
    • September 3, 2010 at 4:53 pm
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      How do you come to that conclusion? Fair enough, only a small percentage of young footballers ever make it at the top level but its really unfair too write him off when he’s hardly even kicked a ball for the club!

      On another note, he’s nearly six foot which is pretty tall for a winger and at his age he hasn’t finished growing so he shouldn’t be at a disadvantage when it comes to the physical aspect of the game.

  • September 3, 2010 at 4:27 pm
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    Arsenal or Ajax, for a young lad making his way in the world it’s huge decision and not one to be made lightly, think about all the great Ajax players and the history.
    I’m just glad we have Arsene Wenger because without him he would have gone to Ajax.
    Let’s now hope that the injury clears up well and he goes on to be an Arsenal legend.

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 4:29 pm
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    Ajax have a better youth system than Arsenal have you see the players they have produced?

    They have produced millions of world class players.

    But i am happy we are buying him we need wingers hopefully he can really shine and hopefully break into the firest team

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 4:31 pm
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    Hey!
    I must say your news and reports are all spot on. I remember reading couple of first hand news here before reading them up again in some of the most recognized football sites. If this lads is really good, I see him making greater impact into our play and team. I must say, Well done mate.

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 4:36 pm
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    he won’t be any good.

    another midget who will get crushed by the physical PL

    5 yr ‘development’ contract as well. I bet that is at £10k a week like we pay all the useless youth players like Mark Randall. Waste of money these youth lads don’t earn their money

    Reply
    • September 3, 2010 at 4:45 pm
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      u chat utter nonsense. Grow up

    • September 3, 2010 at 4:47 pm
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      What an idiot you are MONTY on both statement. Its Wenger’s opinion that matters not yours or mine.

    • September 3, 2010 at 4:51 pm
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      dude,he’s 180 cm!!!

    • September 3, 2010 at 4:54 pm
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      i dont get why people are so angry at the wages we pay our youngsters, especially the foreign ones,
      you expect them to move country, learn a new language etc for a couple of quid a week, theres no chance, their uprooting there lives, and some of the time their families go with them.
      i bet if you researched you would find that the youngsters that are being paid well, are those on the cusp of the first team and/or on loan.

    • September 3, 2010 at 4:54 pm
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      He’s nearly six foot you moron!

    • September 3, 2010 at 4:56 pm
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      Another midget????
      He’s 17 and he’s six foot one.
      Do you survive entirely on a diet of tabloids and Le Grove?

    • September 3, 2010 at 5:20 pm
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      180cm is 3cm short of 6’…….I’m 183cm and no-ones ever called me a midget!
      Be positive mate if Wenger wants him he must be ok.

    • September 3, 2010 at 6:54 pm
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      Yes, he will get crushed in the physical PL. Those dirty foreigners just can’t handle the true British Bulldog. Especially Japs. And Spaniards. And Frenchies. And all foreigners, they’re all the same, eh?

      And we don’t pay 10k a week to these type of youngsters. Randall is probably on 700 a week or so.

      Btw, Arshavin barely hits 5 foot, and he’s not half bad, is he?

    • September 4, 2010 at 2:04 am
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      you must be an idiot.. or dont understand what 180 cm means… how can he be a midget???? his 6ft tall..

      great site.. and good latest news.. keep it up…

  • September 3, 2010 at 4:45 pm
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    @MONTY Another midget? You must be 9 ft tall cos the boy is actually a 6 footer. I do agree with you on the Mark Randall comment though, he gets paid 10,000 quid a week for being mediocre.

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 4:48 pm
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    Mark randall isnt mediocre hes just got problems.

    A few years ago he was fantastic hes got world class abaility he just needs to grow up and be more professional. He needs a break

    JS what is happening with Randall will he go on loan? I hope he puts his head down and works really hard you never know a good performance in the carling cup could change him

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 4:49 pm
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    How are we going to play him, Wellington and the others? The first team midfield is so crowded even Rosicky and Nasri don’t have a starting spot. Are we just farming youngsters to sell to other clubs?

    Reply
    • September 3, 2010 at 5:21 pm
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      Very good question, But in a few years time we wont have the likes of Arshavin, Rosicky, Vanpersie, and possibly Fab4 playing for us. They will be on the wrong side of thirty(exception Fab4). So not a bad idea with signing up talented kids for the future.

  • September 3, 2010 at 4:55 pm
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    Deciding on Ajax and Arsenal is difficult because look at the success stories that have come through the Ajax system, whereas internationally we’re not yet known as a team who develop young players from very young ages.

    Lots of Asian players have done well in Holland, like Honda, Ji Sung Park and now Suk. So it’s a tricky choice really.

    Phillip – who knows!

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 5:04 pm
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    Young guns is amazin !!

    I can’t wait to see him and Wellington. But Jay, Will they both arrive in January?

    Will they go into the reserves?

    Will they go on loan???

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 5:31 pm
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    Ecstatic that this signing is happening!

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 6:19 pm
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    I agree with you all about this site…..it really is the best one for news…Its so exciting to read about all the young players coming through…I watched Ryo on you tube…he looks good…I hope he fulfils his promise….

    We really do have the greatest manager anywhere in the world at the moment…he does SO WELL and keeps us solvent

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 6:27 pm
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    I agree that it would be a tough choice between Arsenal and Ajax,people who say it aint are people who don’t understand the history of a great club like Ajax who have spent years and years developing possibly the most impressive youth system over the last 50 years,so for a young player to see all that and still decide to come to Arsenal shows what a great job Arsene has done for our wonderful club. I happen to think he could turn out to be a star,forget his height,he’s a wideman! I understand it when it’s a short centre half or target man but this is a position where you need generally a low centre of gravity,pace,quick feet etc,height really is a very minor issue.
    ps I would love to see that Honda at us next season

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 6:28 pm
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    future teams looks great
    szczesny

    cruise
    nordveit
    bartley
    gibbs

    wilshere
    jet
    ramsey

    miyaichi
    afobe
    wellington

    2nd team

    mannone
    hoyte
    miguel
    boateng
    botelho

    aneke
    eastmand
    galindo

    walcott
    vela
    watt
    there are still some more players but it will go on all day.

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 6:49 pm
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    I looked at this guy on youtube. I found two videos of him against Japanese secondary school players. He was pretty dominant. Didn’t really have a long distance shot from what I saw.

    I guess if Wenger saw him against toughter competition and he played well, I will trust him. I think this kid could be a world beater with the right training. Keeping my eye on him.

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 7:02 pm
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    monty i cant get over the fact you called him a midget he’s 6 foot at 17yrs , and he’s still growin, anyway have n e of u guys watched n e of his games on youtube he looks like the real deal, i kno the defenders were’nt up 2 much, but his pace would beat any defender in the world, and he’s really skillful and tricky, im really looking forward to seeing him tear defences apart for arsenal, i got a great feeling bout him and wellington, happy days i think!

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 7:04 pm
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    Weeks rather than months? and all this time i’ve been imagining it was some horror injury like eduardo!!!!

    Reply
    • September 3, 2010 at 10:24 pm
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      look, it’s medical assessment from a holland club so what’d do expect? still remember the wayward assessment on our dear RVP by the dutch team doc? it’s part of the dutch traditional…

  • September 3, 2010 at 7:37 pm
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    Ajax or Arseanl? Well it will be more likely that he can become a star at Ajax and be a big player, that is loved by the fans. Plus if he’s good enough he’ll get snapped up by a bigger club. At Arsenal he will have a lot of competition. It will be very hard to push through to the first team. If you look at the facts, then it is more than likely he wont make it. So i can see how it is a tough dicision. But of course i wish him all the best and hope he makes it.

    Arsenal will no longer be a small side. JET, Miyaichi, Bendtner, RVP, Aneke, Diaby all 6ft+

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 9:52 pm
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    Rosicky And Arshavin have only couple of years left and Wenger says he see’s Walcott in striker’s position in the future so wide players will get plenty of chances . I think Nasri will move to center when Cesc leaves

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 10:09 pm
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    He must have been considering what happened to Inanmoto here. He would certainly have got more opportunities in Holland. But glad he chose us!

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 10:27 pm
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    it would be good business here as part of the arsenal ‘business’ … imagine this as a part of capturing the lucrative asia market starting with japan… they are passionate about their players playing overseas – star or not! great business again by wenger, and hope our ‘football’ side would benefit in due course…

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 10:31 pm
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    Can’t believe how ignorant people are to Ajax’s youth academy. Unbelievable.

    Reply
    • September 7, 2010 at 12:24 pm
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      Don’t be mate…..there are many kids on these blogs who get a lot of their info off of Google just to keep up with the facts. I’m not proper old school but i’m old enough to remember when Ajax were the best in Europe and certainly old enough to know what they’ve contributed to the beautiful game throughout time.

  • September 3, 2010 at 10:40 pm
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    Hope he can be like Keisuke Honda…that guy is so skillful and better than Nakata ever was.

    Ajax academy is one of the world’s best. They constantly produce international players from all over the world.

    Reply
  • September 3, 2010 at 11:56 pm
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    Can’t wait for our future midfield

    LW: Miyaichi
    CM: JET
    CDM: Frimpong
    CM: Wilshere
    RW: Walcott

    Reply
    • September 5, 2010 at 7:38 pm
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      Why do people still refer to JET as a midfielder? He’s a forward, a CF or RF now. That’s his position (ignore the CL list).

      And don’t forget Ramsey.

    • September 7, 2010 at 12:26 pm
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      Or Aneke, or Wellington, or Ozzy, or Coquelin, or Ebecilio etc, etc. :)

  • September 4, 2010 at 12:07 am
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    i can’t believe you guys didn’t notice monty’s sarcasm. this japanese boy is hardly a midget and which arsene will pay a kid with broken leg 10 grands a week.
    monty is just provoking your reactions but he’s happy we signed the japanese ronaldo

    Reply
  • September 4, 2010 at 12:31 am
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    It’s great to see Arsenal amassing and continuing to amass young talent that has such great potential.

    I understand the complaints of some Gooners who point out that potential is just that–potential–and not a finished product or likely to beat the odds and make it into the Arsenal first team. But, if you look at Arsenal’s squad, it’s a club where a number of young talents have developed and indeed broken into the senior squad.

    Work-ethic is very often what determines whether a young talent with potential does or doesn’t develop into a quality player or star in many sports. There are a lot of athletes with great talent but little work-ethic who never develop their potential and end up bagging groceries a few years down the road. And, there are athletes who aren’t as talented whose work-ethic and drive leads them to become solid starters and even occasionally stars in the EPL.

    In a recent interview, Theo Walcott credited the work that he and Sagna, Chamakh and Mannone have been doing after practice, on their own, and the time that he has been spending in the gym, building his strength, for the difference between his form last year and this season. That’s what having a solid work-ethic is all about and what it can produce.

    There are star players in American sports, some whom started with all the talent in the world (Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning) and some who didn’t (Jerry Rice, Tom Brady, Terrell Owens), who are known to have legendary work-ethics. After record-breaking seasons, nearly all of them were quoted as saying, in one form or another, that they could still get better and be better players. Athletes like this are never satisfied with how good they are, they constantly want to continue to get better. There are athletes like this who play professional soccer, too. While athletes who have this kind of work ethic and also have the talent to become stars are rare, it is work ethic that often separates those who will make it in a sport from those who, for all their talent, won’t.

    Arsenal is not only trying to collect a lot of young talent, it is also trying to find and develop those young talents who have the work ethic to develop their potential. As the roster of senior players shows, in recent years, they have done a pretty good job of identifying a number of those players. When Young Guns see guys like Walcott, Sagna, etc. working hard after practice and on their own time to get better, it encourages them to want to do the same (for those of you who follow American football, it was watching Jerry Rice that prompted Terrell Owens to become such a hard-worker). And, that will not only benefit the club, but help to increase the number of Young Guns who develop into players who can challenge for spots in the senior squad.

    I’m excited by the potential addition of Ryo. He and Wellington Silva showed a great deal of potential in their showings for the club this summer. If they have the attitude and work ethic that it takes to develop their potential–as Theo is trying to do–Arsenal could become extremely quick and fast up-front before long. I certainly hope that it does happen because it would be a lot of fun to watch those three, with their talent, tormenting the back fours of opposing defenses (with Ramsey and Wilshere feeding them–think about it!). I just hope that these two new additions have the work ethic necessary to realize their potential and don’t let the success that they’ve had in their development so far go to their heads.

    Reply
    • September 7, 2010 at 1:24 pm
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      Very, very well said.

  • September 4, 2010 at 12:36 am
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    which part of the good asian business or market you guys are talking about. The chap is just 17. Not in his senior international and yet to break into Arsenal first team. Probably almost none of the asians out of japan knows about him.
    I say he’s here because mr wenger sees his potential. Business or not… that’s a few years down the road. Or He could just do a Merida. Tends to show how difficult it is to break into arsenal first team.

    Reply
    • September 7, 2010 at 1:40 pm
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      I’m sure senior Japanese officials already know about him simply because of the fact that they don’t really produce many exciting wingers in Ryo’s mould. He has a lot of potential and they will be watching closely. AW has wanted to get in a super asian talent for a very long time, and although there have been one or two duds in the past (namely, Inamoto), if this kid was to realise his potential, the income the club start bringing in after wild hysteria in Japan and neighbouring countries where the people are football fanatics would be insane. In fact, it’s the Park Ji Sung marketing tool that has kept those scummy Mancs afloat thus far (that, added to the prize money they’ve received over the past few seasons and Ronaldo’s MUCH NEEDED sale). Hell, they’ve even got enough money to be throwing away £8m on an unknown Portuguese youngster with barely any top-level experience (if any at all) whilst still trying to handle their multi-hundred-billion pound debt…….planks!

    • September 7, 2010 at 1:41 pm
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      Sorry, that was supposed to say MILLION – not billion.

  • September 4, 2010 at 1:06 am
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    “It was difficult to choose between Arsenal and Ajax, but Arsenal wanted me the most”

    why would he chose between us and AJAX, a team that didn’t even offer him a contract ?

    Reply
  • September 4, 2010 at 2:44 am
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    Think of the Asian market we can exploit when this kid becomes a star! I know it’s in bad taste and a cynical view on life but seriously, commercially Arsenal are so rubbish compared to the big boys on the dining table. We can get so much money from out in the East.

    Reply
    • September 5, 2010 at 12:59 am
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      we have so much Money now..I don`t want us t become protituites to east asia like United

  • September 4, 2010 at 4:18 am
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    happy we are a japanes team now and not a korean. If you know asia, that means we can never have a korean player in our ranks as both nations are not compatible.

    Suitably ManUtd are a korean team.

    Reply
  • September 4, 2010 at 5:34 am
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    The Future Is Bright:
    ————— Szchney ——————
    Eastmond — Nordtveit — Bartley — Botelho —
    ——————— Frimpong ——————————
    ——————————– Wilshere ——————-
    ———— Ramsey ———————————
    R.Miyaichi ———————————– W.Silva
    ——————— J.E.Thomas ————————

    ————— Mannone ——————
    Coquelin — Hoyte — Miquel — Cruise —
    ——————— Henderson ——————————
    ——————————– Randall ——————-
    ———— Lansbury/Aneke ———————————
    S.Watt ———————————– Barazite
    ———————Sunu/Afobe ————————

    And Dere Still More Nd Also We Got Players In Our First Team Who Are Still Under 23.

    Reply
    • September 5, 2010 at 12:50 am
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      don`t get too excited

      Eastmond would end up in Bolton like Fabrice Muamba did

      Bartley suck

      Botelho would have to fight with Gibbs for a place then he turns Brazilian, returns to Brazil, complains how Arsenal mistreated him. then another team comes. he plays, then complains

      and Ignasi Miquel would be captain in 5 years Just watch and see

  • September 4, 2010 at 1:10 pm
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    Hahah some of you REALLY think Arsenal has a good youth academy? All you do is steal other clubs talents and some make it through the first team but most fail. Just like your whole petty club fails. Arsenal is a disgrace to football and you’re a fag club who never won shit

    NOW GO BACK TO YOUR LIBRARY CUNTS

    Reply
    • September 13, 2010 at 10:13 am
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      FU dickhead…this is an arsenal blog…no place for cunts like you… go bitch about some other club….you pathetic little weed!

  • September 4, 2010 at 2:54 pm
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    am so surprised that some of you guys can begin over analysing that young boys for finding it difficult to choose between Arsenal and Ajax.
    i am a stonch gunner at heart but i dont have to be so self concious of my team to under -estimate other clubs.
    the boy was just being professional and he was right .The Ajax academy has been there for over 40 years and its products are already proven. we at Arsenal have may academy products but not as many as those of Ajax just because our academy is only 12/13 yrs old.
    here is a list of some Ajax youth products:
    Wesley Sneijder ,Rafael Van Der Vaart , Steven Pienaar , Klaas Jan Huntelaar ,Elijero Elia, Ryan Babel, Nwankwo Kanu, Johan Cruijff, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, Wim Kieft, Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids the list goes on and on so please lets get the facts right.

    Reply
  • September 4, 2010 at 3:27 pm
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    j, what about that young goalie Maxim koval guy from Dynamo Kiev are we in for him ?
    and were we in for Gylfi Sigurðsson ? he signed for Hoffenheim for about 7 million i think, i´m from iceland and i think hes one of our brightest young players.

    Reply
  • September 4, 2010 at 11:07 pm
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    I think you have underestimated the significance of the fact that Wenger speaks fluent Japanese from his time managing there. Sure that helped things slightly…

    Reply
  • September 5, 2010 at 5:50 am
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    Fun trivia for J to note: Miyaichi is from, and still plays and lives and studies in Nagoya, Aichi, where of course Arsene led the city’s team Nagoya Grampus to the Emperor’s Cup and J.League runners-up, fermenting many of the ideas (like the diet, for instance) that he later introduced at Arsenal. I’m sure Arsene still knows a lot of friends back in Japan, so he would know the area very well. Nagoya remains with you, Arsene!

    Reply
  • September 6, 2010 at 1:04 pm
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    Please lads is there anywere i can see this he sounds like a lethal prospect

    Reply
  • September 6, 2010 at 1:06 pm
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    Please lads is there anywere i can see this guy he sounds like a lethal prospect.

    Reply
  • September 7, 2010 at 1:59 pm
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    I find him playing like arshavin. low CG, good balance, great running thrust goalwards

    Reply

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