Is it time to give Arsenal’s forgotten man a fresh chance?

Arsene Wenger’s oddest signing in recent years? How about Arsenal’s forgotten man, Park Chu-Young?

The South Korean, is certainly no Mesut Ozil. He’s made very little impact at the North London club and will surely view his move to the Premier League as massive blip in his career. Indeed, if the 28-year-old doesn’t get back on his feet soon enough, it could be a career killer.

Nobody wants to see that, nobody wants to see a professional footballer lose his way, even if he clearly made a poor decision when he decided to leave Monaco in August 2011. But it’s hard to see how he’s going to find his way back.

This is a man who has only had six minutes of Premier League action since arriving at the club. His only Arsenal goal came in the League Cup, against Bolton. It’s clear enough that Arsene Wenger places no faith in the South Korean.

Which raises the question: why did Arsene sign him in the first place? The Frenchman is no fool. He knows a good player from a bad one. Whilst he’s made a few transfer mistakes in the past, he doesn’t tend to sign players he’s never going to use (or give a fair shot to).

There will be those who claim signing Park Chu-Young was a commerical move for Arsenal. A shameless attempt to expand the Arsenal brand throughout Asia. Given the player’s lack of exposure, I’m not sure that’s true.

Regardless, Chu-Young needs to move on. His loan move to Celta Vigo was not a success (4 goals in 25 appearances) and he needs a shot at another club.

As luck would have it, The Mirror claims that Park Chu-Young is ready to join Wigan on loan for the rest of the year. This strikes me as a good move for just about everybody involved.

Arsenal need to get him off the wage bill. Wigan need more options upfront. Park Chu-Young needs a change of scenery. He needs a chance to re-build his career and Wigan can give him this.

If Owen Coyle decides he wants to take Chu-Young on a long-term deal, then all the better.

Arsenal aren’t exactly brimming with forward options, but they absolutely have to let him go. Let’s hope he puts the pieces of his career back together and finds some form again.

What’s your take? Are Arsenal right to send Park Chu-Young out on loan?

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