Ryo Miyaichi is only 18 years old, and has never played in a compeititve match for Arsenal; only three preseason friendlies. Despite those facts, Ryo already seems like a star for Arsenal football club. Many are scrambling to see if Ryo will be eligible to play for Arsenal this season; his quick feet and blistering pace can light up a ground like the Emirates.
In order for "Ryodinho" to play for Arsenal this season, he has to get a work permit. The easiest way (in one way or another) to get this permit is if he had played in 75% of Japan's national team's matches that he was eligible to play in. Unluckily, Ryo hasn't even been called up to play for the national side yet. He has only represented Japan at youth levels, up to the Under 19 side, where he turned in eight appearances.
The only alternative is for Ryo to get a "special talent" visa. As you can tell from the title, it's not an easy thing to be eligible for. Even so, I am confident Ryo can get the visa and don the Arsenal kit next season.
In the post match press conference after the draw with the New York Red Bulls in the Emirates Cup yesterday, Arsene Wenger was asked about Miyaichi and siad:
What was better than simply listening to Wenger say that was watching him say it. You could tell he is confident Ryo is a good player and that he can get a work permit."My plan is to get a work permit for him and to put him on a football pitch for Arsenal Football Club."
The OSL (Overseas Labour Servie) isn't stupid. They know football, and they know that Wenger has an eye for fantastic young talent. They will see what Wenger said about Ryo, recognize that Wenger is not kidding about the kid, and hopefully the OSL will give Ryo the visa.
There's another reason why I am confident Miyaichi can get the special talent visa. Ryo is a flare player. He is the type of player that attracts fans, and can get a crowd on their feet. Not only that, he is Japanese.
The OSL will have seen the amount of hype Ryo created when Arsenal went to Asia. He has a lot of fans in Asia, Japan especially. This would be fantastic for global marketing of the game. Japanese households would start to tune in and watch their young Japanese starlet represent their country in the world greatest league for one of the worlds greatest teams. In the history of the Premier League, only three Japanese players have ever competed. Not only would Ryo help market Arsenal, but he would market the Premier League. So it wouldn't just be Arsenal benefiting from Ryo's special talent. Ryo's participation in the English game could attract more players from Asia, and while the FA isn't exactly "happy" with the amount of non-English players currently in the league, Asian countries area different brand which the Premier League hasn't fully attained yet, unlike countries such as the Ireland, Sweden, etc.
IF Arsenal isn't able to get a special talent visa, for whatever reason, there are rumors that Feyenoord are ready to snatch up Ryo right away. In fact, they want him on loan this season regardless of what happens with Ryo's work permit issue. Arsenal will not allow that to happen if they can. But if Miyaichi has to go to Feyenoord, it wouldn't be a bad thing. He would get more first team football there, which would allow him to develop more and gain more experience. That's not to say I don't want him to leave Arsenal, because I want him to stay! Miyaichi's pace can strecth packed defenses, and his trickery can create chances in games we are desperate to score in.
Ryo is a special player. He is fast, he is smart, he is modest, he is young, and he is Japanese. If the OSL is in their right minds, they will give Ryo a work permit. How could you say a kid doesn't have special talent when you look at this:
Cheers all.
