Arsenal are planning to indulge in a Manchester United-style preseason tour of Asia for the first time after years of resisting the incentives to embark on a major foreign expedition. Arsene Wenger has always been opposed to overseas travel, but has said that if the club was to go travelling, it would have to be for other reasons than money:
Arsenal To Embark On Pre-Season Tour Of Asia
I am under pressure from the club to do it [pre-season tour]. But I want to start the season well. If it’s just to make money then no. If for other reasons, then maybe yes. We are examining it but not in a year when the Euros [are taking place] or World Cup years. International players, under Fifa rules, must have four weeks’ holiday.
Apparently he's now been convinced (don't ask me how), and Arsenal will announce the details of a trip, believed to include jaunts to both China and Malasia, shortly. Obviously, this represents a major opportunity for Arsenal to expand their global reach, following in the footsteps of major brands like Chelsea and United, but it's very difficult to see how this could make sense outside of financial reasons. But that's Arsene Wenger's problem, not ours - if you're a fan of the club in Southeast Asia, it sounds as though you probably have a treat coming your way in a few months.
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