Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

View image in fullscreenPremier League fans in Asia want to feel valued – and not just as a source of revenue

Pre-season trips to Asia may not be new for English clubs, but they remain a huge global engagement opportunity

Fifty years ago, Arsenal lost 2-0 to Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, with jet-lagged players struggling to deal with frogs bouncing around the Merdeka Stadium pitch as well as the legendary local striker Mokhtar Dahari.

Since then, however, many aspects of Asian tours by English clubs have changed.



There are millions of fans in Asia who want to see their favourite teams and if they are lucky enough to live in the continent’s richer countries – you don’t see many exhibitions in Laos or Bangladesh, by contrast – clubs are happy to oblige.

This may lead to higher prices but fans have shown they want the occasion to be as authentic as possible.

They also want the clubs to show they care.

“I just want them to make the most of their tour, like reaching out to underprivileged fans, like children in remote areas or those with limited financial resources,” Jittakorn Srikhamkhrua, a Thai Liverpool fan and influencer, says.

Fans in Asia want to feel valued and not just as a source of revenue.

“Asian tours have never peaked because European clubs have never taken them as seriously as they should,” Chadwick says.

It is not just about engaging with current fans but winning over new ones, too.
For more news relating to Arsenal, visit our sister site AFC Latest Live.