Arsenal new boy Takuma Asano nets cheeky backheel in Japan’s epic Olympic loss to Nigeria

ARSENAL’S new summer signing Takuma Asano 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.

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 Granit Xhaka, 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.