The Japanese teenager has been making something of a name for himself since his loan move to Bolton in January, so much so that I have actually stopped fast forwarding through the Bolton games on Match Of The Day. He created the second goal for Bolton at the weekend with a great delivery from a corner and very nearly set up another after some very quick stepovers cutting in from the right-wing. He has been the success story for Bolton’s second half of the season, already winning player of the week honours. I know it’s not as impressive as Arsenal player of the week but at least it’s something.
A player dubbed as Ryodinho by the Dutch press during his successful loan spel at Feyenoordl last season, he possess extraordinary pace coupled with skill,excellent dribbling ability and an eye for goal as evidenced by his 3 goals in only 12 games while in Holland while also chipping in with 4 assists. A left footed winger/striker he can also play on the right allowing him to cut in onto his favored foot for shots at goal.
Now, the whole world and his mother seem to be aware of the fact that Pods is strongly linked with a move to the Grove in the summer. The fact The Boss has even talked about the move is a departure from his usual you will know when I do mantra. He supposedly had yet another medical with the club doctor’s last week, his 17th thus far by my reckoning. The highly talented German is a left footed winger/striker blessed with pace and a high level of dribbling skill. Sound familiar?
If Lukas joins as expected in the summer, that will leave us with Pods, Gervinho and Ryo along with Rosicky at times vying for one spot on the left hand side of our front three. I realise The Ox has also played here of late but Wenger has spoken in thie past that he views his future position as a central midfielder so I won’t include him in the battle for the position.
I know we all view competition for places in the squad as a good thing but with Pods & Gervinho at least ahead of him in the pecking order will Ryo be happy. He was loaned out to Feyenoord for the second half of last season and only made two first team substitute appearances for The Arse this term before joining Bolton on loan. This gives him a grand total of two games for his parent club in the space of a year and a half. Does he continue to view this as acceptable or maybe try to take his talents elsewhere in Europe prior to the start of the 2012/2013 season if things don’t look like they will happen at the Grove for him.
As a young man we hope he realises that his time will come with Arsenal and with rumours that Feyenoord had wished a season long loan deal for this year was in place perhaps we will see him return to the Dutch club next year as he continues to expand his game and get used to European football. It is also worth bearing in mind that if he joins another club on a season loan he will be then classed as a Home-Grown player under the FIFA regulations as he will have spent 3 years at Arsenal prior to the age of 21.
I for one will watch his career with interest, hopefully while visiting the Emirates.
Till the next time
SayonaraRy
