Takuma Asano was Japan's hero in their World Cup win over Germany but the striker could have been playing for Arsenal.
The 28-year-old scored the winner in Wednesday's shock 2-1 win over Germany to hand Japan the perfect start to their World Cup campaign.
Former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger snapped up Asano from Sanfreece Hiroshima in 2016 but work permit issues prevented him from playing in the Premier League leading to his subsequent exit.
The 28-year-old scored the winner in Wednesday's shock 2-1 win over Germany to hand Japan the perfect start to their World Cup campaign.
Former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger snapped up Asano from Sanfreece Hiroshima in 2016 but work permit issues prevented him from playing in the Premier League.
The legendary Frenchman described the Asano as "a talented young striker and very much one for the future."
Asano later moved to Germany for loan spells with Stuttgart and Hannover before securing a permanent move to Serbian side Partizan Belgrade.
The striker is now back in Germany with VFL Bochum after signing as a free agent in 2021.
itz_me_ojei
134
His name is Shūichi Gorda, but he can also be called Benji Price. Crazy what he stopped today against Germany. Brilliant 👀🙋
itz_me_ojei
106
Rudiger made fun of one Japanese player (Rudiger's Germany were leading Japan ( 1 - 0 ). So, the Japanese team took it as an insult and gave them reward with two goals ⚽⚽ 😂
JoyNg
97
No Sniper, No Party🇩🇪🎯
JoyNg
95
Germany without Toni kross👇😂😂😂
Doxmang
60
Japan fans cleaning up their mess before leaving the stadium 👏 What a great attitude
fizbdknt
53
Wenger was always visionary
Fris
36
It looks like Germany and Argentina will meet somewhere in the world Cup to settle their scores
JahmanMK10
31
Short story Japan 🇯🇵 VS Germany 🇩🇪 😂 😂 😅
Dostana1234
27
❤️❤️❤️ Japan
ramaekprsu
16
That's what you get when you cover your mouth in group photo in the name for showing solidarity with gays. Thank you blue sumarai, thank you Qatar 🇶🇦