Ryo scores in home town as Arsenal beat Nagoya

Arsenal travelled to Japan on Monday for the third game of their Asia Tour in which they played Nagoya Grampus. The match was a special occasion for two people involved within Arsenal. It marked Ryo Miyaichi returning to his home town to play for the first time since joining English football. Meanwhile it also saw the return of Arsene Wenger who managed the Japanese club for 18 months between 1995 and 1996 before joining Arsenal. He enjoyed a successful stint there in which he won the Emperor's Cup, The J-League Super Cup and also the J-League manager of the year in 95.

Ryo Miyaichi scored from the spot in his hometown

Nagoya are currently in the middle of their domestic season so they would provide the Gunners with a tougher test than Indonesia and Vietnam. However it didn't look like that as Arsenal got off to a flying start as Rosicky found Giroud who headed home for his sixth goal of the tour. Minutes later Ryo Miyaichi went wiskers wide with a chance from close range. The young forward was to then get an even better chance as Arteta handed him the ball when Arsenal were awarded a penalty. He then slammed the ball home for his first goal in the red and white of Arsenal. Ryo was one of the stand out performers of the game as he played the first half and proved to be very tricky down the left hand side. He's had trouble with injuries of late but finally looks to be showing his worth to Wenger.

Rosicky was another player who was playing well. He was showing signs of what he had done in the run in last campaign as he slipped in Walcott who's shot was saved.

Minutes before the break Nagoya had a great opportunity to get themselves back into the game as Tulio Tanaka found Ogawa but he scuffed his shot.

The home side started well after the break creating two opportunities in quick succession as a corner was headed wide and then a cross was well claimed by Fabianski at the feet of Fujimoto.

The second half gave us the opportunity to see another one our young wingers. Serge Gnabry once again showed his talent as he tricked his way past two players before firing wide of the far post.

It was soon 3-0 Arsenal. 16 year old Gedion Zelalem played an outstanding through ball which split the defence and found Walcott who then beat the keeper. The early comparisons between Zelalem and Fabregas are evident. His vision is incredible.

Walcott then turned provider as he picked out Gibbs at the back post but he could only find the side netting.

Wilshere had the next chance as Walcott was the provider once more but the keeper came out well and stopped the shot.

The hosts did get themselves on the scoresheet though. Hayuma Tanaka played a great ball in which found Kisho Yano unmarked in the box to head past Fabianski.

Zelalem then once more showed his terrific vision to slip in Akpom but his finish was poor and it went wide. Chuks Aneke was also involved in the build-up as he finally got a chance in his preferred advanced role. Something that I had picked up on in the game against Vietnam.

Our final game of the Asia Tour is on Friday against Urawa Red Diamonds. 

The final score finished Nagoya 1-3 Arsenal. 

Arsenal: Fabianski, Jenkinson, Sagna, Mertesacker, Gibbs(59), Rosicky(45), Arteta(45), Ramsey(69), Miyaichi(45), Walcott(69), Giroud(45). 
Subs Used: Miquel(59), Wilshere(45), Aneke(69), Zelalem(45), Gnabry(45), Podolski(45), Akpom(69).
Unused Subs: Martinez, Olsson, Eisfeld, Oxlade-Chamberlain.