By Yi Whan-woo
National team captain Park Chu-young scored his first goal for Arsenal in the team’s 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers to advance to the League Cup quarterfinals, Wednesday (KST).
Amid the cheers of encouraging fans, the English league’s newest Korean made a decisive curling shot in the 56th minute for the team’s second goal, raising hopes of playing a larger role in the club.
Park did not have much of a chance to play for Arsenal since joining the squad Aug. 30, after transferring from France’s AS Monaco. While the striker was a must-have by netting 25 times in his 91 league match caps for the past three seasons, this was only his second appearance for Arsenal. The first was on Sept. 20 in a 3-1 League Cup victory over Shrewsbury.
The 26-year-old impressed manager Arsene Wenger from the first half with two forced saves from Bolton goalie Adam Bogdan.
Initially he struck a curling shot that Bogdan managed to deflect. The attacker then attempted another goal by hurling a sliding a shot that nearly targeted the post, which the Bolton keeper denied again with his fingertips.
The host struggling this season allowed Fabrice Muamba, a former Arsenal player, to break the deadlock two minutes into the second half.
Russian Midfielder Andrey Arshavin then leveled the game in the 53rd, after which Park secured the team’s victory by connecting the Russian’s pass over the goal line.
“The quality of his movement was exceptional,” Wenger said.
“His finishing is absolutely fantastic. For me, he has shown tonight he is a very, very good player.
“He’s ready to play in league games.
“Compared to his first game, where he was a bit inhibited, tonight I felt he played with freedom and showed what a good player he is,” the 63-year-old added.
The full-time starter not only attracted the season-record of 56,628 fans at the Emirates Stadium, but also pleased his countrymen, including national team manager Cho Kwang-rae.
“I’ve been watching the clips over and over,” Cho said.
“And I could see that he showed wonderful skills in the danger zones.
“I think he should now play more assuredly (in the Premier League), and considering he played full time in that match, there should not be any worries about his physical condition,” the Korea boss added.
Cho also added that he will continue to have Park on his roster for the remaining matches of the 2014 World Cup regional qualifiers. The manager will make an official announcement of the list today.
Meanwhile, retired national team captain Park Ji-sung set up Manchester United’s opening goal against fourth-tier club Aldershot in the second round ofthe League Cup in London.
The midfielder helped Dimitar Berbatov mark his first goal of the season in the 15th after a one-two with Tom Cleverley on the edge of the box.
Manchester cruised as Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia each extended the margin later for the team’s 3-0 victory.