A poor signing or a brilliant marketing ploy? That is the question often banded around when people discuss Arsenal’s decision to move for Junichi Inamoto.
The Japan international was signed by the Gunners in July 2001, with Arsene Wengershelling out £4 million to bring the midfielder from Gamba Osaka to Arsenal, and having managed in Japan before, it was thought that Wenger may have unearthed a hidden gem.
However, Inamoto failed to make a single Premier League appearance while in North London, with his only outings coming in cup competitions, and just 12 months after joining, the midfielder was released by Arsenal.
Naturally, such a short spell led many to claim that Inamoto had merely been signed for marketing reasons, especially in his home territory. It is true that his transfer boosted Arsenal’s influence in Asia and it was argued that this was the real reason for Wenger bringing him to the club.
Inevitably, the Arsenal manager denies such claims, instead stating that the youngster was not ready for the English game, but that still doesn’t stop people speculating, nor does it lessen just how odd an episode this was for the Gunners.