Arsenal new boy Takuma Asano nets cheeky backheel in Japan’s epic Olympic loss to Nigeria
Gunners' summer signing's strike ultimately not enough as Etebo Oghenekaro scores four in Rio 2016 opener
ARSENAL'S new summer signing scored a magical backheel to opened his Rio 2016 Olympic account in an epic 5-4 loss to Nigeria.
Asano, 21, who signed for Arsene Wenger's Gunners for an undisclosed fee in July from Japanese side Sanfrecce Hiroshima, finshed off a superb flowing move with a clever finish 20 minutes from time.
That made the score 5-3, but but ultimately it was not enough as Oghenekaro Etebo, who plays for Portuguese side Feirense, scored four goals for Nigeria as the match ended 5-4.
The game began in thrilling fashion, with the teams levels at 2-2 after just 11 minutes - but Nigeria held on to earn a Group B win and give highly-rated Etebo a huge chance of finishing as top scorer at the Olympics after just one game.
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Japan battling back to almost snatch a draw was perhaps not surprising given Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi and his team-mates only arrived in Manaus hours before kick-off after their flight was delayed - with the players reportedly unhappy that their chartered plane was too SMALL.
Asano is just one of four signings made so far by Wenger this summer, alongside £30m midfielder , Nigerian wonderkid Kelechi Nwakali and £2m defender Rob Holding - angering Arsenal fans who believe not enough money is being spent on a meaningful title challenge this season, despite the club being owned by billionaires.