The newest Arsenal starlet Ryo Miyaichi has come on leaps and bounds since arriving in Europe and has become a favourite with the Feyenoord fans where he has been on loan since January.

The Japanese striker is to rejoin the Gunners for the pre-season ahead of Arsenal applying for a new work permit (and the cynical might say he would be an extra draw on the summer tour of Asia?), and he has only good things to say about the support he was given while he was in Holland.

My time at Feyenoord has been even more wonderful than I had originally expected,” Miyaichi said. “This was my first experience living abroad, and that was awesome.

“Every day I play football and I have the feeling that I could develop every day.”

“If the fans chant my name, it gives me a warm feeling inside,” he continued. “The fans are the twelfth man and fight with the players.

“It is wonderful to play at a sold-out Kuip. I have developed thanks to the supporters. I would like them to know that I am grateful for that.”

He may well be back at Feyenoord next season if Arsenal are refused the work permit again, and they would welcome him back with open arms……

Arsenal attacker Marouane Chamakh has made it clear that there's no truth in the rumours linking him with Ligue 1 powerhouse Olympique de Marseille.

A number of recent reports suggested l'OM coach Didier Deschamps had set his sights on the Morocco international, but the player has stated that Bordeaux are his only option if he is to return to France.

"These rumours [about Marseille] are completely false. If I was thinking about leaving Arsenal again for a French club, it would only be to return to Bordeaux," Chamakh was quoted as saying by RMC.

The 27-year-old joined Arsenal from Bordeaux on a Bosman move in the summer of 2010 and after a positive start, soon lost his starting berth and has since been linked with a move away from the Emirates.

Chamakh currently sits 151st in the Castrol EDGE Rankings.

Goalkeepers: Scott Carson, Joe Hart, David Stockdale.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Joleon Lescott, John Terry, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young.

Forwards: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Bobby Zamora.

Arsenal have announced a pre-season tour of Asia in July which will take in Malaysia and China.

The team will play two games, the first in Kuala Lumpur before moving on to the Chinese city of Hangzhou.

The Gunners will arrive in Kuala Lumpur on July 11 and play a Malaysia XI in the Bukit Jalil Stadium two days later.

They will then play Chinese Super League side Hangzhou GreenTown on July 16 at the Meihu Sports Center in Yiwu City.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis told the club's website: "Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is excited to be visiting both Malaysia and China.

"The club has a tradition of playing in Malaysia going back to the 1960s. This will be our fourth visit to Malaysia, having last visited Kuala Lumpur in 1999. We are also looking forward to returning to China, where we last played a pre-season friendly in Beijing in 1995.

"It will also be a wonderful experience for the club and our players, many of whom will be visiting Malaysia and China for the first time."

The Gunners will also host the Emirates Cup on July 30 and 31 which this year will feature New York Red Bulls, Paris St Germain and Boca Juniors.