By Jonathan Chong on Monday, October 30, 2006

Arsenal have verbally agreed to a deal that will help raise the profile of the club in South-East Asia with Vietnamese club Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

The Gunners will in turn help develop the standard of football in Vietnam. Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Arsenal are looking to formally put pen to paper in early December.

Arsenal will be sending representatives to Vietnam to survey Hoang Anh Gia Lai's current facilities, as well as providing assistance in coaching and to help initiate the construction of a football academy.

Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger was quoted as saying: "Arsenal had always been interested to have a strategic partner in South East Asia, and the opportunity to work with Hoang Anh Gia Lai was too good to pass on.

"If Vietnam provides adequate investment into the sport and focuses on developing young talent, the country will benefit from it."

Hoang Anh Gia Lai were also in discussions with rivals Tottenham and Chelsea but decided on Arsenal.

User Comments

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fab

Posted on 31 Oct, 2006 at 10:49 AM - Reply

Why a Vietnamese side, not Singaporean or Thai (since they are higher up the FIFA rankings)? I'm sure development of football at these countries are as important and they may even benefit Arsenal in the long run.

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