Arsenal have been forced to postpone their proposed pre-season friendly against Nigeria.
The Gunners were scheduled to face the
Super Eagles at the Abuja National Stadium on August 5 as part of their
summer preparations for the 2012-13 Premier League campaign in what
would have been the club's first trip to Africa since manager Arsene
Wenger's arrival in 1996.
However, it appears that logistical
difficulties regarding the trip have arisen and the north London club
feels that certain requirements necessary for the trip have not been
fulfilled.
In a statement on the club's official
website, marketing director Angus Kinnear said: "Bringing a top-level
club to an international market is always complicated and logistically
challenging.
"With the proposed match in Nigeria
planned for early August, we could not get comfortable on everything
needed to satisfy our requirements, so we have reluctantly taken the
decision to postpone the team’s visit."
Kinnear was keen apologise to the club's
African fanbase and hopes that they can instead fulfill the fixture in
the summer of 2013.
"We have a huge and loyal following in Africa, and we are sorry that the team will not be visiting this summer."
"However, we have a long-term commitment to Nigeria and we are already making plans for a visit next summer."
"In addition, we also have some exciting
forthcoming activities planned with our commercial partners in Nigeria,
Emirates, Airtel and Malta Guinness, which will kick off in few weeks.”
The club's sponsor, Emirates Airlines,
also commented, stating through the club's official website: "Emirates
shares Arsenal’s disappointment that the team’s visit to Nigeria has
been postponed."
"We look forward to working with Arsenal
to bring the club closer to its loyal Nigerian fans through new
initiatives over the coming months."
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