Arsenal announce pre-season tour of Malaysia and China

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Arsenal have announced a two-game pre-season tour of Asia with matches lined up in Malaysia and China.

The Gunners, who finished the 2010-11 Premier League season in fourth place, will arrive in Malaysia on July 11 before a game against a select team on July 13 in Kuala Lumpur.

Arsene Wenger’s side will then travel to Yiwu where they will face Chinese Super League outfit Hangzhou Greentown on July 16.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis told the club’s official website he was excited by the tour.

“Everyone at Arsenal Football Club is excited to be visiting both Malaysia and China,” said Gazidis.

“The club has a tradition of playing in Malaysia going back to the 1960s. This will be our fourth visit to Malaysia, having last visited Kuala Lumpur in 1999.

“We are also looking forward to returning to China, where we last played a pre-season friendly in Beijing in 1995.

“It will also be a wonderful experience for the club and our players, many of whom will be visiting Malaysia and China for the first time.”