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Arsenal have announced their pre-season fixtures, which along with the Emirates Cup the side will host, includes trips to Malaysia, China, Germany and Portugal. Book flights, get your Post Office travel money and follow the team!
Pre-season is an increasingly important facet of a team’s year; it can give a side momentum going into the first day of the season, give youngsters a chance to show their talents on the big stage and allow new signings a chance to bed into the team and start an understanding with their new teammates. Arsène Wenger and the Emirates faithful will hope a number of new faces will be included in the six games before the trip to St James’ Park on August 13th, with moves for Gervinho, Gary Cahill and Christopher Samba reportedly nearing completion.
The Asian fixtures set the ball rolling, with the first fixture being against a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday July 13th. The first two fixtures allow Gunners fans a chance to experience a different culture and way of life, with South East Asia being a destination of choice for Western tourists. KL is a vast city with a wide range of nationalities ensuring a cultural and culinary adventure. The Petronas Towers have 88 storeys and offer a great view of the city.
The following Saturday (16th July) Wenger’s men take on Hangzhou Greentown in China’s Zhejiang province. The easter coastal province is made up of a number of municipalities and offers countless scenic tours, Buddhist temples and a chance to indulge in Chinese culture.
An away match closer to home follows this, with FC Cologne the opponents on Saturday July 23rd. The German side may not have the quality of yesteryear, but with the likes of Lukas Podolski in their ranks it should be a stern test. Cologne is the nation’s fourth largest city, and should see warm summer weather at the time of the game. With 70 clubs and party spots and countless bars and restaurants this could the place to let off some steam.
The Emirates Cup interrupts the teams travels before a trip to Lisbon to take on Benfica rounds off pre-season. The Portuguese side finished in the runners up spot in 2010/11 in their domestic league and have quality in attack, with the likes of Pablo Aimar and Javier Saviola sure to test the Arsenal rearguard. Portugal’s capital is an array of architecture, all which can be enjoyed in 28-30 degree weather.
A varied and difficult pre-season awaits the Gunners, and hopefully will set the side in good stead ahead of the 2011/12 season, and allows the side’s fans a chance to get their travel cover and explore a number of exciting and contrasting places, supporting the side along the way.
