Earlier this week, Kicker published an article highlighting Takuma Asano’s dissatisfaction with his performances at VfB Stuttgart.

Having played an important role during their 2-0 win over Düsseldorf on Monday evening, his latest comments are understandable, especially as a player who wants to impress Arsenal as they track his progress in Germany.

The 22-year-old forward could’ve netted a hat-trick himself during the match and saw good chances squandered.

Asano in action against Dusseldorf on Tuesday evening
Takuma Asano fights for the ball with Julian Schauerte (Photo by Thomas Niedermueller/Bongarts/Getty Images)

As quoted by the German version of the Kicker website he said, “I’m not really happy, it’s important for goalscoring players to score goals.

That in itself, is true.

Asano has only netted twice in the 2. Bundesliga this term and he knows there is a need to improve his personal goal tally. Despite this though, the coaching staff and manager Hannes Wolf have stressed his ever-growing importance as he gradually settles into European football.

It wasn’t a seamless start to life in Germany for Asano, especially having represented Japan at the summer Olympic Games. He was eased into the side, only completing a full match sporadically while being trialled in a handful of different attacking positions.

Now though, he has started three consecutive league fixtures – one on the right-wing and two in a number ten role where he seems to be creating more chances.

It [the lack of goals] bothers him much more than me,” Wolf stated.

If he goes so far and always with this speed and quality forward, he will also score goals.

Wolf also described the striker as an “extremely valuable” asset to the side, which will give Asano confidence that his performances will justify an extended run-in the team as they chase promotion back to the Bundesliga this season.

There is an option in his existing contract to extend his loan deal for another year, something which could be confirmed nearer the end of the current campaign.