Striker only at Arsenal for two years

New Arsenal signing Park Chu-Young has revealed that he will have to return to South Korea to complete mandatory national service in two years time.

It is law in the Asian country that all men must complete 21 months in the army before the age of 30, and if the attacker refuses to do so could face imprisonment or even extradition from his homeland.

The striker signed for the Emirates outfit from Monaco for £4 million in the recent transfer window, but is realistic that he cannot stay in London for longer than two years.

“It isn’t really possible to be excused. That can’t and won’t happen, which is another reason I chose to come here,” he told Mirror Football.

“I’ll have to leave Europe in two years’ time and I thought this would be an incredible place to finish. My national service is inevitable and there is no point in thinking anything else.

“I’ll still be playing games, but for an army club. I think it’ll be difficult to return to Europe after that, although if something interesting comes up, you never know,” he stated.

The South Korean has largely been in the fringes since his summer move, but will look to contest a starting place in Arsene Wenger’s side as they host Sunderland on Sunday.

By Gareth McKnight