Does Ryo Miyaichi have an Arsenal future?

Speedy winger Ryo Miyaichi has had a rough time so far in his Arsenal career and has been forever on the fringes of the first team, making only seven appearances for them over the two years he has been in North London. Furthermore, Arsenal’s increasing depth of wide players is one of the reasons that has kept the young winger out of the side as Arsene Wenger hasplayers like Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Santi Cazorla and young German prodigy Serge Gnabry at his disposal. Even Danny Welbeck is an option in that position, making it very difficult for the Japanese star to break into the team.

Another reason it has been frustrating for Ryo is that, despite loan spells promising plenty of game time, he has been limited through persisting injury woes that have not allowed him to prove to any of his clubs what he is capable of. This was a problem at Wigan Athletic during the 2012/13 season, where former Wigan boss Roberto Martinez even expressed his frustration at not being able to feature him more in his side.

However, Miyaichi did have a successful loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, who at the time were in the Premier League and providing some valuable experience for the quick youngster. The Japan international is also now coming into his stride with his current loan spells in the Netherlands for FC Twente and now Jong FC Twente, netting a few times in almost 20 appearances over the two stints.

One thing Miyaichi will be desperate to do is to be able to show the Gunners' boss first hand his capabilities in Arsenal colours, which he managed to do in the previous pre-season when they travelled to Asia. The FA Cup holders had a very successful time there, which included a goal for the wide man against his hometown club, Nagoya Grampus.

Overall, Ryo Miyaichi has a lot to offer Arsenal in terms of his pace, skill and obviously the Arsenal style of play that he has adopted. However, heading further into his 20’s with plenty of competition at Arsenal, it could be made very difficult for him to get many opportunities before it is too late and Wenger sees his Arsenal career fading away. He will have to have a good pre-season for the 2015/16 season if he is to remain at the club and not be sent out on loan again.