After signing for Arsenal in January 2011 following a successful trial period at the club in the summer previous, Ryo Miyaichi has gone on to draw experience from loan deals at both Dutch side Feyenoord and Wigan Athletic’s local rivals Bolton Wanderers.
In fact, the fleet-footed Japanese winger has a history of firsts against Latics.
His debut for Arsenal reserves came against Latics in August 2011 which he marked with a goal and his senior debut on loan at Bolton was in Latics’ 2-1 victory at the Reebok Stadium where he almost managed to grab a late equaliser for the Wanderers but the long arm of Ali Al Habsi who tipped his curling shot around the post.
Ryo’s loan spell at the Reebok provided him with his first taste of Barclays Premier League football, having only made two appearances for Arsenal in the League Cup earlier in the season against Shrewsbury Town and the team he ended up on loan at Bolton.
At Bolton he made 12 league appearances and helped earn six points for the club by assisting in winning goals against Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers in the latter stages of the 2011-12 season.
During his spell in the Netherlands with Feyenoord, he acquired the nickname ‘Ryodinho’ due to his ability with the ball at his feet being likened to Brazilian Ronaldinho.
He also excelled at the club by scoring three goals in 12 appearances.