Miyaichi draws on his Emirates education
12:40pm Tuesday 21st February 2012 in Latest By Marc Iles
RYO Miyaichi has backed himself to blossom away from the pressure cooker atmosphere of the Emirates.
The on-loan Arsenal winger scored a stunning goal to put Wanderers on their way to the FA Cup quarter-finals against Millwall at The Den on Saturday.
But it was quite a different situation at his parent club, who crashed out of the competition to Sunderland, a few days after their heaviest-ever European defeat at the hands of AC Milan.
With pressure growing on Arsene Wenger, Miyaichi admits a spell away from north London could be good for his career.
“At Arsenal the atmosphere is incredibly tense,” he said. “But here (at Bolton) things are much more friendly.”
Miyaichi featured in just two games for Arsenal this season, including a Carling Cup cameo against Wanderers in October. And although he has had to leave the troubled Gunners temporarily to find regular football, the influence of Robin van Persie and Thierry Henry could be clearly seen in his debut strike.
“There were certainly difficult times,” Miyaichi reflected. “But it wasn’t a waste to practice with superstars every day. In fact I think that sort of experience was irreplaceable.
“I like the attacking style which penetrates from the left flank to get into the box, like Henry.
“When I was at Arsenal, I saw many times Henry score the same way during training. Van Persie also did it, from the right flank.
“They showed a very good example for me. That’s why I could score like that.
“The ball came to me at the perfect time, I had space in front of me and my first touch let me move inside.”
Miyaichi’s first experience of FA Cup football was as intense as it is likely to come, with the partisan home crowd at The Den making for an intimidating atmosphere.
Fabrice Muamba described some of the terrace abuse as “a disgrace” on his official Twitter account on Saturday night, and the young winger also revealed that he had been hit by a bottle shortly after scoring.
But the Japan Under-19 international, who is likely to make his senior bow later this month in a World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan, said it did not affect his enjoyment of the game.
“Just after I scored someone threw a plastic bottle and it hit me,” he said.
“But the crowd made it such a special atmosphere. It was my first experience of a real English cup tie and it was amazing.”
Miyaichi also discovered a new lucky routine before the cup tie.
“I usually strap up my legs using white tape for fixing leg guards before the match,” he explained.
“But I also strapped up my right wrist because I just thought I would score, perhaps.
“I want to continue to do the same thing next time as my lucky charm.”
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