Takuma Asano- OFFICIAL

[Munchies]

Get in lads!!!

F'n buzzing

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160702/arsenal-agree-deal-for-japan-forward

[Marc Overmars]

Takuma's on fire, your defence is terrified!

[Xhaka Can’t]

The bookies may as well start paying out on us already.

[I am invisible]

2 signings down, 1 to go...

[Power n Glory]

He'll be lucky to get a game.

[dostoy]

What do you really think about this ?

I know nothing about him apart from what I read, I have never seen him play obviously.

I am very very underwhelmed.

I was really expecting somebody big, either Morata, Janssen or maybe even Lukaku.

Cheap option as always.

[Kano]

He'll probably be loaned out somewhere straight away.

[Marc Overmars]

He'll be lucky to get a game.

Same process as usual. Couple of years in the reserves, maybe a loan move, the odd League Cup appearance, eventually slip out the back door as if he never existed.

[GP]

He'll probably be loaned out somewhere straight away.

Yep, this.

No point getting worked up. This isn't the 'cheap option'

[selassie]

Sigh...Joins a long list of wing forwards we have. What was the exact point of this signing when we already have plenty of potential that needs developing in the same position?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Asano is how they pronounce the club name in Japan?

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Hope this isn't another marketing gimmick.

Remember poor Ryo? :(

[GP]

Poor Ryo?

:lol:

[I am invisible]

What do you really think about this ?

I know nothing about him apart from what I read, I have never seen him play obviously.

I am very very underwhelmed.

I was really expecting somebody big, either Morata, Janssen or maybe even Lukaku.

Cheap option as always.
Just the usual, cynical marketing signing, like Park, Ryo and Inamoto - if he does well, then we break the Japanese market and make a stack of cash, but in all likelihood I don't expect we'll ever see him in an arsenal shirt (in any serious way). I'm not sure I'd even count it as a signing really...

[The Emirates Gallactico]

Poor Ryo?

:lol:

Well not financially poor but his career at the top level is pretty much over tbh. :lol:

We probably should have let him remain in Japan and work his way up instead of jumping to such a high level early on, especially with no experience of club football prior to that.

[Marc Overmars]

Ryo was never good enough. These are just random punts, Eisfeld was another.

Pretty harmless signings on the whole. Low risk because they're cheap, unlikely to succeed and no one cares but if they do then we're quids in.

Still, given the clamour for us to make some proper signings players like this will always go down faster than a lead balloon.

[dostoy]

Does this mean that Wenger will now NOT sign a proper striker, one that WILL make a difference ?

[Marc Overmars]

As big a WUM as he is, I doubt this is Wenger's idea of a signing that will make a difference.

If it is though, then god help us all.

[Niall_Quinn]

He's already said he's, "One for the future"™

The future of what, he didn't mention.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Jesus wept.

£21m wasted on this nobody.

:ilt:

[Niall_Quinn]

£21mill? Are you sure?

This is the most ridiculous transfer in the history of football if true. Where did you see £21mill? More than Vardy?

[KSE Comedy Club]

You can bet your bottom dollar that this is the striker we are buying to cover Welbeck.

So that's it for us, 1 more in, a defender perhaps and our summer business will be complete.

Goodbye, over and out, the shop is closed.


Fuck this shit again, the sooner wenget fucks off/dies the better!!

[KSE Comedy Club]

£21mill? Are you sure?

This is the most ridiculous transfer in the history of football if true. Where did you see £21mill? More than Vardy?

Actually, I don't know. In my hasty anger I may have read his age as the transfer fee :lol:

:getcoat:

I wouldn't be surprised mind you

[Niall_Quinn]

I think you mistook the fact he's aged 21. No way have we paid £21 mill for this absolute nobody.

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm pretty sure the fee was £1.

[Niall_Quinn]

Kind of sad for these youngsters joining the club. The fans are so desperate for proper signings and then these kids arrive for the reserves and there's a barrage of abuse. Of course Wenger deserves a barrage of abuse for his mismanagement of the club over a decade, but it's tough on kids who have just secured their dream move. Doubt he'll ever play a game for us either. We've essentially killed his career so the greedy cunts can sell shirts. Would be fine if they then used that money to buy better players, but instead we've signed Granit Denilson.

[Munchies]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CmHtMiGUkAAzwbD.jpg

:lol:

[dostoy]

It truly is unbelievable.

Wenger seems determined or make that obsessed with getting players that no-one has heard of.

He will not sign established top players, I really wonder what made him sign Ozil and Sanchez.

What if Giroud gets a 3 month injury in September ?

[Munchies]

Has anyone bothered to youchoob this guy yet?

[AFC Leveller]

Japanese = shirt sales.

Thats what this is about.

[Niall_Quinn]

Has anyone bothered to youchoob this guy yet?

Looks a tidy player and a decent finisher. But the quality of that league is rock bottom. The defenders and keepers are a joke.

[GP]

Jesus wept.

£21m wasted on this nobody.

:ilt:

What??

He's less than £1m

[GP]

It truly is unbelievable.



Is it?

Or is it completely normal and the sort of signing that all clubs make?

[Niall_Quinn]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeuXlLcJruo

WARNING: Music (sic) will make you throw up in your mouth.

[Munchies]

Looks a tidy player and a decent finisher. But the quality of that league is rock bottom. The defenders and keepers are a joke.

I saw a clip of Gervinho running past like 6 players a few months ago and actually scoring!

[Niall_Quinn]

I saw a clip of Gervinho running past like 6 players a few months ago and actually scoring!

That was a Photoshop job. If you notice from that clip it also looked like he had a normal forehead.

[Power n Glory]

Has anyone bothered to youchoob this guy yet?

Park and Ryo looked decent on youtube and they came from better leagues. I just fear this is a signing for the shareholders. A marketing ploy and we won't actually see this guy play.

[The Verminator]

Very fast runner...

Welcome Nipinho! :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

Using a football club as a private slush-fund :bow:

Kroenke :bow:

Wenger :bow:

[Niall_Quinn]

Is it?

Or is it completely normal and the sort of signing that all clubs make?

It's not really normal at all to be signing players like Park, Sanogo and now this guy, is it? Not for a club that's supposed to have ambition. The fans have been asking for the Dutch kid to be signed, now that would be ambitious and "one for the future". This guy though. Shirt sales. Ranch deeds.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

I'm reserving judgement till I hear what JSAO has to say.....wait, wait......wait a minute, I am JSAO! :tumbleweed:

[Niall_Quinn]

I'm reserving judgement till I hear what JSAO has to say.....wait, wait......wait a minute, I am JSAO! :tumbleweed:

Welcome back !

[dostoy]

If Vardy had have joined Arsenal, would Wenger still have signed Asano ?

Wenger will now say that if he signed another striker, where would he play them all when Welbeck is back.

Asano IS our new striker, forget anybody else.

[Munchies]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG0GeGqfoRc&feature=youtu.be

:lol:

Dt :bow:

[Kano]

Hopefully this will be our only striker.

[Niall_Quinn]

Wenger has said, "this is a player for the future." Sometimes he speaks gobbledygook, other times he's easy to understand. This player will not be in the team next season. In fact he may never play for us. He's probably been signed to sell shirts. I think we signed some other kid early in the window too. We won't see him either. Whatever happened to that Polish kid who was supposed to be half decent? Did he play in the Euros or has he disappeared into Arsene's Project Yoof?

[GP]

I'm beginning to think DT is mentally ill.

[Özim]

Don't really get these signings, Japanese players haven't done well here on the whole and to bring some kid over when we already have players in that position who are young is odd, his record is also nothing to ride home about considering he's playing in Japan and 21.

Instead of wasting our time going after these players we should be focussing on improving the 1st team.

[Özim]

Wenger has said, "this is a player for the future." Sometimes he speaks gobbledygook, other times he's easy to understand. This player will not be in the team next season. In fact he may never play for us. He's probably been signed to sell shirts. I think we signed some other kid early in the window too. We won't see him either. Whatever happened to that Polish kid who was supposed to be half decent? Did he play in the Euros or has he disappeared into Arsene's Project Yoof?

I'd like to know how much money we waste signing these kids that never make it, should put that towards 1st team players, players we've sometimes been unwilling to play a few extra million for.

[Munchies]

I'm beginning to think Dt is mentally I'll.

He's a legend!

[Munchies]

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/467x310/aug_11/zp_Park_28_110828PAFC_7742.jpg

Park Chu Young was our number 9? :haha:

[The Emirates Gallactico]

I'm beginning to think Dt is mentally I'll.

He's just a massive bellend and an attention seeker. Claude but about five times worse.

[Globalgunner]

I`s have been happier if the kids name was Takumi, not Takuma. Takumi means technician or specialist in Japanese. Learnt this from watching a vid on how Nissan GTR engines are built
GTR.:bow: As fast as a Ferrari for a 1/3rd of the price.

[GP]

He's a legend!

He's a fucking cock.

[Niall_Quinn]

I'd like to know how much money we waste signing these kids that never make it, should put that towards 1st team players, players we've sometimes been unwilling to play a few extra million for.

Well as we know, Wenger is incompetent when it comes to bringing youth through to the first team. I think the evidence is in on that now. So I would say he's shouldn't be allowed to ever get involved in that aspect. Let somebody who knows what they are doing develop the players that can come through the ranks and Wenger can then play out of position and waste.

[Niall_Quinn]

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/467x310/aug_11/zp_Park_28_110828PAFC_7742.jpg

Park Chu Young was our number 9? :haha:

Has the new kid been given the #9? That would be deeply concerning.

[I am invisible]

I`s have been happier if the kids name was Takumi, not Takuma. Takumi means technician or specialist in Japanese. Learnt this from watching a vid on how Nissan GTR engines are built
GTR.:bow: As fast as a Ferrari for a 1/3rd of the price.
Any chance "Asano" means "failure"?

[I am invisible]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeuXlLcJruo

WARNING: Music (sic) will make you throw up in your mouth.
I lasted 1min 15s - can anyone top that?

[dostoy]

Will we sign another striker this summer, someone who will make a positive difference starting in August 2016 ?

[GP]

Will we sign another striker this summer, someone who will make a positive difference starting in August 2016 ?

Probably.

This guy OBVIOUSLY isn't for the 1st team.

[Kano]

Will we sign another striker this summer, someone who will make a positive difference starting in August 2016 ?

No this is it. Time to get the petrol bombs prepared.

[Power n Glory]

He's 21 years old. A bit old to be old for the usual reserve signings that go out on loan. This might be our back striker.

[Niall_Quinn]

He's 21 years old. A bit old to be old for the usual reserve signings that go out on loan. This might be our back striker.

Old enough to have made his name in Japan. This will help shifting the shirts. Not sure a 16 year old would have brought in the numbers.

[Power n Glory]

Lyon have also stated that Lacazette will be staying.... maybe we're falling back on signing a first team striker. Giroud as number 1 again and this kid will be back up until Welbeck comes back.

[Niall_Quinn]

Not sure I'm that bothered tbh. Even if we signed Messi I'd have no faith in us being able to use him effectively. Wenger's the elephant in the room and it looks like he'll be dropping his massive turds for at least another 3 years.

[Bumble]

one thing i dont quite understand is why Wenger is signing a player for the future. when one he wont be here, also the replacement manager or managers probably wont want the player either. He is already 21 so if he was some great superstar of the future I would assume he would have more Japanese caps even at this stage.

as he seems to be signing players for the future instead of the here and now... and as he always wants to see projects through to failure I guess this means that he will be signing a new contract after we go on a good run of results around October time.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

:tiphat:

Been around NQ but in my excitement to post keep forgetting my password

Read most of this thread now and you are right, Wenger has no intention of using this guy this season. The lad has said himself that he expects to go out on loan. But WUMger must know that the fans expect quality additions before start of season. Did this have to be the second announced signing? I mean it is not like we we locked in a battle for his signature.

Come on AW we need a striker, CB and I would say another CM just because we have got rid of three or could some of the kid step up for those that have gone

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Any chance "Asano" means "failure"?

Nope means 'shallow field or plain'

[Niall_Quinn]

Nope means 'shallow field or plain'

Shallow field as in depression? Plain as in ordinary?

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Shallow field as in depression? Plain as in ordinary?

Ordinary depression? Kind if sums up the life if a typical Gooner don't you think?

[Özim]

Lyon have also stated that Lacazette will be staying.... maybe we're falling back on signing a first team striker. Giroud as number 1 again and this kid will be back up until Welbeck comes back.

Wouldn't surprise me, Wenger still thinks he has 2 months left because he never see's the beginning of the season as the pojnt at which you should have made your main signings, not looking good on the striker front though, slowly but steadily we're missing out on all the decent options, we just don't get our transfers done quickly enough, that's unless he's relatively unknown like Xhaka or some kid noone wants.

We're pretty desperate for a decent striker but seem in no particular hurry. People say they expect us to sign a striker, there's two things you know about Wenger though, one is that he has a record of not doing what people expect him to do (i.e. the logical thing) and that could mean he doesn't sign one or if he does it will be some small time nobody not up to the job.

[I am invisible]

Is this Asano guy at least a Japanese international, or is he just another nobody who we've pulled out of school or college or off the street?

[Letters]

He's from Hiroshima, they must have some super-heroes by now what with all that radiation so maybe he's one? :unsure:

#clutchingatstraws

[I am invisible]

Gigantism!

[Power n Glory]

Let's hope so. One bad tackle and he turns into the Japanese version of Hulk/Hot Shot Hamish! :lol:

[GP]

More like Bert Kwouk

[Niall_Quinn]

Invisible Boy, I would think.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

He's from Hiroshima, they must have some super-heroes by now what with all that radiation so maybe he's one? :unsure:

#clutchingatstraws

His special powers include anaemia, peeling skin, hair coming out in clumps and a constant need for blood transfusions

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

More like Bert Kwouk

Who was Chinese

[Niall_Quinn]

Reminds me of the Jew we signed, the one with copious amounts of gas in the tank. What was his name?

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Reminds me of the Jew we signed, the one with copious amounts of gas in the tank. What was his name?

David Ben'Gurion?

[GP]

Who was Chinese

Same dif...

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Reminds me of the Jew we signed, the one with copious amounts of gas in the tank. What was his name?

Did Benayoun really have leukaemia ? He never looked well

Mate of mine couldn't understand why I called Kallstrom Roosevelt....it was because he often played like someone with Polio

[Power n Glory]

Who was Chinese

Racists bastards. :lol:

He was British. Born in Lancashire. I didn't realise he died this year.

[I am invisible]

Racists bastards. :lol:

He was British. Born in Lancashire. I didn't realise he died this year.

I call an immediate review of Ramsey's scoring record!

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Racists bastards. :lol:

He was British. Born in Lancashire. I didn't realise he died this year.

You can be both British and Chinese, he was both.

Yep died about six weeks ago....he was cast as Japanese as well as Chinese characters....he was Commandant Yamouchi in Tenko

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

I call an immediate review of Ramsey's scoring record!

Ramsey last scored for us in the league on March 5th

Burt Kwouk died on 24th May

Sorry

[GP]

He played himself in the The Harry Hill Show.

[Niall_Quinn]

You can be both British and Chinese, he was both.

Yep died about six weeks ago....he was cast as Japanese as well as Chinese characters....he was Commandant Yamouchi in Tenko

WTF!!!

We've signed some Oriental fella who died 6 weeks ago?

[GP]

WTF!!!

We've signed some Oriental fella who died 6 weeks ago?

Still better than Giroud ahaHAAHAHAHAHA

[Niall_Quinn]

Still better than Giroud ahaHAAHAHAHAHA

Ah so, he's a striker then. Fair enough.

[GP]

http://i.imgur.com/F1KCuRZ.jpg

[Niall_Quinn]

http://i.imgur.com/F1KCuRZ.jpg

He looks incredibly lifelike.

[GP]

Nah if you look closely you can see the join.

[Power n Glory]

You can be both British and Chinese, he was both.

Yep died about six weeks ago....he was cast as Japanese as well as Chinese characters....he was Commandant Yamouchi in Tenko

Just joking. I didn't realise he was born here but grew up in China.

[Letters]

Burt Kwouk died on 24th May
Aye. Really spoilt my birthday, that did :(

[LDG]

Wasn't this lad a song in The Lion King?

[GP]

Wasn't this lad a song in The Lion King?

It means no trophies, for the rest of your days!

[Letters]

It means no trophies, for the rest of your days!

:haha:

Naaaaaaarsene Wenger!

[LDG]

It means no trophies, for the rest of your days!

It's a bargain fee, he's Japanese

[Master Splinter]

The circle of rife.

[LDG]

:lol:

[Xhaka Can’t]

I lasted 1min 15s - can anyone top that?

Nope

[KSE Comedy Club]

I'd like to know how much money we waste signing these kids that never make it, should put that towards 1st team players, players we've sometimes been unwilling to play a few extra million for.

I said the very same on these pages years ago when we were discussing 'project youth'.

It's a sham, a complete switcheroo. We piss money away on shit and then sell them on later for probably a much higher fee - with the exception of players that are released (you know they are just too shit to get any money for)

It's a turnstile to generate cash, nothing more.

[GP]

I said the very same on these pages years ago when we were discussing 'project youth'.

It's a sham, a complete switcheroo. We piss money away on shit and then sell them on later for probably a much higher fee - with the exception of players that are released (you know they are just too shit to get any money for)

It's a turnstile to generate cash, nothing more.

So, what's the problem?

[Letters]

Nope

Me either.
Lasted about 10 seconds (as usual #MrsL)

[Niall_Quinn]

It's actually quite a good video if you watch it with the sound turned off. An excellent montage of some of the worst defending you're ever likely to see.

[selassie]

I said the very same on these pages years ago when we were discussing 'project youth'.

It's a sham, a complete switcheroo. We piss money away on shit and then sell them on later for probably a much higher fee - with the exception of players that are released (you know they are just too shit to get any money for)

It's a turnstile to generate cash, nothing more.

What makes it even more comical is we have wasted huge wages on squad players too who pretty much never play. Last season the likes of Arteta & Rosicky were earning 80k per week yet literally didn't kick a ball. It baffles me how Wenger prides himself on market value yet pisses money down the drain on squad players who don't contribute!

[Kano]

But surely wages for those players would've been factored in when they signed their contracts years ago?

I'm not sure what the fuss is about a few extra million here or there. For those other players where we aparrently haven't wanted to pay an extra million or two, it was never the case of not having the funds available, rather not being willing to spend the cash. Signings like Asano have zero effect on our main transfer targets.

[selassie]

But surely wages for those players would've been factored in when they signed their contracts years ago?

I'm not sure what the fuss is about a few extra million here or there. For those other players where we aparrently haven't wanted to pay an extra million or two, it was never the case of not having the funds available, rather not being willing to spend the cash. Signings like Asano have zero effect on our main transfer targets.

We kept on renewing their contracts when they were offering very little playing time. It's not like they were tied to long term deals, we didn't even reduce their weekly wage, we had 35 year olds on fairly big wages playing between 5-10 games a season, how is that not a big deal?!!!

It wouldn't be such a fuss if they contributed or we didn't penny pinch and dither on fees and player contract duration when attempting to bring new players in.

I'm not overly fussed on the Asano deal, it's another opportunistic punt on a young player, he either makes it or he doesn't.

If Wenger wishes to load the squad with potential that's up to him, I'm more concerned about him fixing deficiencies in the first team.

[Kano]

We kept on renewing their contracts when they were offering very little playing time. It's not like they were tied to long term deals, we didn't even reduce their weekly wage, we had 35 year olds on fairly big wages playing between 5-10 games a season, how is that not a big deal?!!!

It wouldn't be such a fuss if they contributed or we didn't penny pinch and dither on fees and player contract duration when attempting to bring new players in.

I'm not overly fussed on the Asano deal, it's another opportunistic punt on a young player, he either makes it or he doesn't.

If Wenger wishes to load the squad with potential that's up to him, I'm more concerned about him fixing deficiencies in the first team.

Arteta only had one bad season before his last, so it wasn't obvious he was going to break down again in his last season. Rosicky still made 250+ appearances for Arsenal and when he was available, was always a valued contributor to the team. A lot of fans saw that despite his injury record, which is why he got a good send off. I also think their experience and maturity was part of the reason Wenger wanted them to stick around too. Why should their wages mean anything to us? We're not in charge of budgets, not accountants or financial experts. The club could obviously afford it and with money always available to spend, it had no impact on the transfer policy. It was never a case of funds not being there to spend. Just choosing not to, which is entirely different.

[Özim]

If you can't see how much money we wasted on these players you must be blind, Rosicky spent most of his time on the treatment table, yes he made 250 appearance but that was in 10 years hardly value for money, then there's Diaby, Arteta, Walcott, Wilsgere and all those kids Wenger buys who never make it, it must add up to a fair amount, where does it all end.

Considering we've refused to pay a few million more for certain players in the past, it makes a huge difference (and it does have an impact on transfers as we still have to cover their wages and thus we must factor that in when offering players contracts to sign), we waste money left right and centre and yet Wenger takes the moral high ground regarding transfers and value for money.

[Kano]

where does it all end!?!?!

It's out of control.

[Penguin]

Guys this isn't our striker. Wenger hasn't had a short striker up front for a long, long time. He likes strikers who can play with their back to goal and bring his little CAM's into play which is why players like Theo and Campbell don't get a look in.

I have a feeling that this guy is Theo's replacement as a wide forward as opposed to a number nine. I wouldn't be surprised if Theo wants to leave now that Wenger has failed to deliver on his false promises of playing him as a striker (and cost him a place in the England squad by not even playing him out wide anymore).

Either that or, as some of you have said, he's just here to sell shirts in Asia.

[selassie]

If you can't see how much money we wasted on these players you must be blind, Rosicky spent most of his time on the treatment table, yes he made 250 appearance but that was in 10 years hardly value for money, then there's Diaby, Arteta, Walcott, Wilsgere and all those kids Wenger buys who never make it, it must add up to a fair amount, where does it all end.

Considering we've refused to pay a few million more for certain players in the past, it makes a huge difference (and it does have an impact on transfers as we still have to cover their wages and thus we must factor that in when offering players contracts to sign), we waste money left right and centre and yet Wenger takes the moral high ground regarding transfers and value for money.

This!

[Power n Glory]

I don't mind players like Rosicky and Arteta staying on at the club if their experience can help us out in training and all the background stuff. But it's the these sort of signings that bother me. The young players that have no hope in hell at making a career here that bothers me.

[Niall_Quinn]

I don't mind players like Rosicky and Arteta staying on at the club if their experience can help us out in training and all the background stuff. But it's the these sort of signings that bother me. The young players that have no hope in hell at making a career here that bothers me.

Hey you! Buy shirt! One dolla!

[selassie]

Hey you! Buy shirt! One dolla!

:haha:

[Bergkampwonderland10]

Looks a tidy player and a decent finisher. But the quality of that league is rock bottom. The defenders and keepers are a joke.
The Norwegian and Swedish leagues are a joke, still there have been a couple of decent players to come from those. Means nothing if a player has talent.
Let's give him a chance first.

[Niall_Quinn]

The Norwegian and Swedish leagues are a joke, still there have been a couple of decent players to come from those. Means nothing if a player has talent.
Let's give him a chance first.

Fine. But Wenger won't give him a chance, will he? This kid will probably never play for the first team. Not unless he develops in the Arsenal Way - in which case he fucked anyway. Poor bastard. His career is as good as finished. But these are all words right now. We'll have to wait a few years for this to come true, like it has done on so many other occasions. I mean FFS, we are the club that signed Park!

[Bergkampwonderland10]

We are also the club that signed Sanchez and Ozil more recently. Iwobi has come from the academy and grabbed his chance, as did Bellerin before him.

[Niall_Quinn]

We are also the club that signed Sanchez and Ozil more recently. Iwobi has come from the academy and grabbed his chance, as did Bellerin before him.

One and two halves (Iwobi and Coquelin) in 12 years. It's appalling. I mean it would be great if he can break through but the odds are almost impossibly stacked against him.

And Wenger would play him on the wing anyway.

[Bergkampwonderland10]

One and two halves (Iwobi and Coquelin) in 12 years. It's appalling. I mean it would be great if he can break through but the odds are almost impossibly stacked against him.

And Wenger would play him on the wing anyway.
I reckon the odds are stacked against every academy/youth player from every Prem team! Only a few truly make it. It's a flawed system academy football but I don't think it makes too much financial loss for the top clubs. Southampton most successful in recent years perhaps. Interesting read this https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/jan/21/academy-graduates-arsenal-illusion-flawed-system
Hopefully Adelaide comes through this season. We'll see about Asano.

[Niall_Quinn]

I reckon the odds are stacked against every academy/youth player from every Prem team! Only a few truly make it. It's a flawed system academy football but I don't think it makes too much financial loss for the top clubs. Southampton most successful in recent years perhaps. Interesting read this https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/jan/21/academy-graduates-arsenal-illusion-flawed-system
Hopefully Adelaide comes through this season. We'll see about Asano.

Yes that's true. All the top clubs have a problem with youth development, no doubt due to the immediate and ongoing demands for success. But not all top clubs made youth development a central policy in lieu of a transfer policy. The other clubs we compete with haven't had to tolerate long barren spells in the transfer market or selling their best players to (allegedly) fund stadium development. Instead of activity in the market and to offset the loss of our best assets we were supposed to see Wenger's fabled magic being worked to bring young (and cheap) prospects along the path and into the first team. It would be an incredible stretch to say that happened. As such we ended up with no squad progression and suffered stagnation. Then the purse strings loosened a little and Wenger could bring established quality players into the mix, albeit in a drip, drip fashion. That hasn't delivered either. mainly because even though we've gone into the market Wenger has failed to go the whole way and cover the positions we've needed to improve for a long time. Really, he's guilty across the board. He's got both approaches horribly wrong.

[Özim]

I reckon the odds are stacked against every academy/youth player from every Prem team! Only a few truly make it. It's a flawed system academy football but I don't think it makes too much financial loss for the top clubs. Southampton most successful in recent years perhaps. Interesting read this https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/jan/21/academy-graduates-arsenal-illusion-flawed-system
Hopefully Adelaide comes through this season. We'll see about Asano.

Trouble is we seem to bring in a lot more of these kids and still we don't really seem to do any better than any other club, if anything we do worse, so we spend 2-3 million on 15-16 year olds and we're no better off.

We should be cherry picking the very best not grabbing every youngster we can get our hands on, like Asano, this holding guy and now this Norwegian nobody, we've been doing this for years and it just hasn't worked.

[Marc Overmars]

Apparently this guy has been denied a work permit and will be loaned out.

:rolleyes:

[Letters]

Apparently this guy has been denied a work permit and will be loaned out.

:rolleyes:

:rimshot:

[Özim]

Apparently this guy has been denied a work permit and will be loaned out.

:rolleyes:

:lol: Another one that will probably never play any significant mount of games for us, waste of time signing when we need players who can feature now.