Arsenal to tour Nigeria in July

Arsenal will make a pre-season tour of Nigeria next year.

A delegation from the English Premier League club arrived Nigeria on Monday to inspect facilities and speak with federation officials ahead of the visit planned for July 2012.

Nigeria has a strong support base of Arsenal fans and this will enable them to see their favourite stars such as captain Robin van Persie, Thomas Vermaelen, Alexandre Song and Theo Walcott.

“Arsenal will tour Nigeria ahead of the 2012-13 season and will play against some selected Nigerian clubs,” FIFA match agent David Omigie told MTNFootball.com.

The trip is expected to include discussions on how Nigeria will benefit from the visit of the Gunners.

Arsenal’s media department confirmed the trip to Goal.com, stating that the club had decided to consider their options for pre-season activities next year.

Reports suggest that managing director Angus Kinnear, club secretary Mark Ellis and head of security and logistics Paul Johnson are part of the Arsenal delegation.

Musa Amadu, NFF acting secretary general said in a statement: “This visit, I want to observe, will definitely provide a strong platform for a much better relationship between the English Premier League and the Nigeria Premier League.”

“Incidentally, the NPL is just returning firmly to its feet after protracted crisis and will welcome tips and suggestions on how to re-position powerfully for the upcoming season.”

“It is also important that I mention that some of our football clubs, particularly those in the Premier League, would welcome some form of technical partnership with Arsenal Football Club,” Amadu said.

Manchester United and Portsmouth visited Nigeria three years ago and played against Premier League club sides Enyimba and Kano Pillars.