Malaysia features in Arsenal's pre-season plans

Arsenal might return to Malaysia after visiting the country during last pre-season. It’s another opportunity not only for fans in Malaysia, but also the surrounding countries to join in and witness our beloved team in person. Not many have the privilege to fly all the way to London to catch a game.

Arsenal directors (Mark Gonella and Angus Kinnear) are in Kuala Lumpur since yesterday, and have officially announced today, that the first team will be here in the last week of July. They have deliberately chosen dates that are a period apart from the European Championship and hence no fears of the first teamers not turning up. Unless the Olympics wreck havoc on those plans. It was wonderful to listen to the directors that Arsene Wenger and Robin Van Persie have personally requested that they return for another tour.

Among the other comments worth picking up on are in the following points.

• Regarding Lukas Podolski: Arsenal always do things the right way and not in front of the public, especially when it comes to transfers. But rest assured that we’re doing our utmost in making things happen and we’re sure that things will fall into place sooner rather than later.
• We do admit that our focus in recent years have been on the relocation and building of a new stadium. We’ve lost out to Manchester United in terms of securing and expanding our global network especially in the areas of marketing. We are working very hard behind the scenes to make up for lost time. In some ways, this also applies to the playing squad as well.
• After our last tour, we realised the huge interest in Arsenal all around the world. We are committed to these tour plans and will continue to pursue it each season. We want to repay fans and show our gratitude for their continuous support to Arsenal Football Club.

The tour is still a good few months ahead and let’s not think that far yet. We are still in the mix of things in the Premier League and there’s still plenty of matches to consider. With Spurs losing their match against Norwich yesterday, the game against Wolves is a chance for us to open up a five points gap between them.

The win against City was encouraging. It is vital that we do not go back into a slump at this stage of the season. Our defending has been spectacular in the last few games and we are defending as a unit.

Thomas Vermaelen is right. We always talk about how the famous back five (with David Seaman included) all had a doctorate when it came to defending. But they never did it alone. They had help from the midfield. David Rocastle, Paul Davis, Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit just to name a few. It’s about everyone recognising their role and responsibilities within the team. Knowing when to drop back and cover for positions that team mate has left open. Something which can be harness with an ever present side.

What has been great to see in recent months is the atmosphere at the Grove. Wojciech Szczesny spoke about it here. The fans have been absolutely amazing. If it persists, no once could ever put the Grove and library in the same sentence, without a “not” in there. Players do respond to that kind of support. Cameras do not pan out to fans leaving early anymore because frankly, those numbers has dropped significantly.

Let’s end this with a few transfer related news. I have no idea where this came from. Per Mertesacker will not leave Arsenal next season, which I’m certain of. Even if Jan Vertonghen was to join us, it would not be in place of Mertesacker. For all his faults, Mertesacker has blended into the Premier League very well and is an integral part of the squad.

Then Carlos Vela seeks a move away from Arsenal and names Spain as his preferred destination. He has done well this season with Real Sociedad on loan. He’s beginning to find the back of the net and that’s not a big surprise. In his last stint with Osasuna, he was putting away a couple and had a good season there. Primera Liga seemed to suit him more than the Premier League, a less robust league where a player is allowed more time on the ball. I can’t see how he’ll fit back into our squad, so best of luck to him in Spain.

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