Park Chu-young resembles a Wenger player but Arsenal fans may disagreeThe forward was Asian Young Player of 2004 and impressed at Monaco but may have to do more to win over the Emirateshttp://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/aug/30/park-chu-young-wenger-arsenal"I had to choose between Lille and Arsenal," said Park Chu-young as he arrived home in South Korea on Monday for national team duty. "I wanted to choose without regret." Whether Arsène Wenger will say the same after signing the 26-year-old striker remains to be seen.
The fee is low, around £3m but is less a reflection of ability than a two-year military tour of duty that starts in 2013, though he may be able to join a police team instead in 2014. That deadline, a 2012 Olympic medal grants exemption, was why the player was increasingly desperate to leave Monaco after three years and why, with a deal almost done on Saturday, he dropped everything at Lille to head to London.
Park has been a huge star in his homeland since becoming Asian Young Player of 2004 and impressing for FC Seoul from 2005. Later, he suffered from injuries, loss of form and confidence – for a while one-on-ones became painful to watch. It was only after a move to Monaco in 2008 that he really started to develop into one of Asia's best strikers.
That accolade may not impress Arsenal fans and even his Asian fans don't expect Park to become an automatic starter anytime soon. The feeling was that after impressing on the Mediterranean, Park had earned the chance to play on a bigger stage and French champions Lille sounded about right. Arsenal interest was a surprise but every time the Daegu-born striker has had the chance to make the step to the next level, he has done so.
Twelve goals out of a total of 38 in Monaco's relegation season is a good return but although Park's finishing has improved, it remains erratic. Comparisons to Nikolas Bendtner end there however. The hard-working Korean offers much more technically than the Dane. At times, Monaco lamented the lack of a killer instinct – perhaps Lille would disagree – but will miss his vision, touch and awareness around the penalty area.
With an Arsenal squad stretched, Park brings versatility – he can play on the left or right but prefers the middle – and pace. A six-footer, he will adapt to the rigours of English football more quickly than Park Ji-sung or Lee Chung-yong. The South Korean captain takes a better free-kick than Theo Walcott as demonstrated against Nigeria at the 2010 World Cup. A good header of the ball with a good head on his shoulders (an IQ of 150) he has the look of a Wenger player, though again, that may not be what Arsenal fans currently want to hear.
With a pre-season tour of Asia and the addition of Ryo Miyaichi from Japan, the London club are suddenly active in the far eastern market. Despite the hype, most European teams receive little commercial boost from Asian players. This could be different. Arsenal can make Miyaichi a star at home but Park already is one.
It can't be too long before Arsenal credit cards (it is rarely about shirts) are a new must-have item in Seoul. Park now has to show he can earn similar status in London.
