Japan’s Takuma Asano made a goal for his side, taking his team’s win 2-1 against Germany on Wednesday in FIFA World Cup 2022. He plays as a winger or a forward for Bundesliga club VfL Bochum and the Japan national team. 

Asano was originally signed as manager for Arsenal during Arsene Wenger’s time but he never made an appearance. At the time, he was just 21 years old. Although he came in with a promising reputation his career at the Emirates Stadium didn’t exactly go to plan.

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Speaking about the signing after missing out on a move for Leicester star Jamie Vardy, Arsene Wenger said: “Takuma is a talented young striker and very much one for the future.”  

Who is Takuma Asano? 

Asano attended the Yokkaichi Chuo Technical High School. He joined Sanfrecce Hiroshima at the age of 18 in January 2013. He went on to win the J1 League in his debut season.

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His younger brother Yuya is also a professional footballer currently playing for J1 League side Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Asano won a gold medal at the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship at youth level, scoring a brace against South Korea to give his side a 3–2 win in the final. He also represented Japan at the 2016 Summer Olympics. 

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Asano was left out of friendly matches with Mali and Ukraine in preparations for the 2018 World Cup due to a lack of playing time at the club level. In March 2018, manager Vahid Halilhodžić said, “It makes me sad that Asano and Ideguchi are not playing. They were the heroes of our qualifying game against Australia. They haven’t been chosen this time, and if things continue the way they are, there is a chance that they won’t be chosen for the World Cup.” 

Speaking about the signing after missing out on a move for Leicester star Jamie Vardy, Arsene Wenger said: “Takuma is a talented young striker and very much one for the future.”

The Japanese forward was not granted a work permit. This resulted in him being an on-loan player heading to Germany to play for Hannover and Stuttgart. Asano left for Partizan Belgrade on a permanent deal three years after joining the Gunners