Arsenal arrive in Singapore for pre-season matches with AC Milan and Newcastle

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SINGAPORE – Waiting patiently for their heroes to arrive, a group of Arsenal fans braved the July 20 afternoon sun at Sentosa, with several umbrellas used as shields against the unrelenting heat.

But once they caught sight of two buses – one strikingly red with the words “Arsenal Tour 2025” – approaching the drop-off point at W Singapore Sentosa Cove hotel, the umbrellas were promptly retracted.

There was much jostling among the group of about 50 supporters as children were mounted on their dads’ shoulders, while others armed themselves with markers and memorabilia in anticipation of getting up close to their favourite players, who have just arrived in Singapore to kickstart their pre-season tour of Asia.

As part of the Singapore Festival of Football, Arsenal will play friendly matches against Italian side AC Milan (July 23) and fellow EPL outfit Newcastle United (July 27) at the National Stadium.

Manager Mikel Arteta was among the first to get off the bus, along with members of coaching staff, and headed straight for fans shouting his name. He took his time to work his way down the line, signing autographs and posing for wefies.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta signing autographs for fans at W Singapore hotel on July 20. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Most of the 30-man squad, including Gabriel Martinelli, Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly – who still had his earphones in – did the same.

Declan Rice showed no signs of jet lag, and the midfielder was spry as he flashed his pearly whites for selfies and exchanged greetings while fans cheered: “Rice, Rice, baby!”

New signings Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga were also given a warm welcome. Notably missing from the squad was winger Noni Madueke, who just joined from Chelsea on July 18 after being part of the Blues’ Club World Cup campaign.

English teacher Amanpreet Singh collected 10 autographs, including those of Ethan Nwaneri and Kai Havertz, in a sketchbook, where he pasted photographs of 33 players and coaches.

His goal is to collect all their autographs. To commit to his cause, he has taken a week off work. The 29-year-old said: “I intend to be here every day, probably from 8am until past midnight.

“I cancelled all my plans. My mother’s birthday is this Tuesday, and I asked her if we could celebrate belatedly. She said, ‘Okay, since Arsenal doesn’t come here every year’.”

Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka taking a wefie with fans at W Singapore Sentosa Cove hotel on July 20. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Vaishnavi, 28, and sisters Diyana Amir, 27, and Erina Amir, 21, had their arms perched atop the barricades in anticipation since 1.30pm.

While dabbing droplets of sweat from her brow, Erina said: “I’m looking forward to meeting David Raya the most. He’s one of the goalkeepers that have really come into the spotlight recently and he has been so promising.”

The sisters first met Vaishnavi, who goes by one name, while supporting Arsenal’s youth team at the Lion City Cup in Singapore in 2013, and watched matches together when the senior team visited in 2015 and 2018.

Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi signing autographs for fans at W Singapore hotel on July 20. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

For most hardcore fans, the week’s activities are just starting. Banker Clarence Toh, 34, will be in the stands at the National Stadium for both friendlies.

He will also be watching the players go through their paces in an open training session at the same venue on July 25. Tickets for all three events are available on Ticketek .

Toh, who snagged wefies with Bukayo Saka and Arteta, said: “Us Arsenal fans have waited for a long time – seven years.

“This year we have a very good squad, with many new signings, who are capable of challenging for the Premier League title.”

Arsenal last visited Singapore in 2018 for the International Champions Cup, where they faced Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid.

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