REVEALED: Why Japan hero Takuma Asano was forced to leave Arsenal... as he writes his name into World Cup folklore with incredible late winner against Germany at Qatar 2022
- Takuma Asano scored Japan's winner in their shock 2-1 victory over Germany
- Asano was at Arsenal's but unable to play for the club due to work permit issues
- Arsene Wenger signed the striker in 2016 admitting he was one for the future
- The Japanese star now plays his football in the Bundesliga with VFL Bochum
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
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.
![Takuma Asano fired home Japan's winner with seven minutes left to hand his side a shock win](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/15/64865013-0-image-a-2_1669218141180.jpg)
Takuma Asano fired home Japan's winner with seven minutes left to hand his side a shock win
The legendary Frenchman described the Asano as "a talented young striker and very much one for the future."
![Arsene Wenger signed Asano in 2016 but work permit issues put the breaks on his move](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/15/64865023-0-image-a-1_1669218127408.jpg)
Arsene Wenger signed Asano in 2016 but work permit issues put the breaks on his move
![Asano is the toast of Tokyo following his heroics against Germany in Qatar on Wednesday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/11/23/15/64864965-0-image-a-3_1669218159936.jpg)
Asano is the toast of Tokyo following his heroics against Germany in Qatar on Wednesday
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.
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