Walcott tensions in Asia tour

Posted on | Saturday, July 9, 2011 | No Comments

Arsenal striker Theo Walcott, admits pre-season trip to Asia could affect the players, but believes that it is still an important journey.

The Gunners are away from your type of pre-season this year by the routine walk around the world to participate in a friendly in Southeast Asia.

Arsene Wenger's head side to Asia on Sunday for a tour profitable will first see Malaysia going to face an All-Star XI, before heading to the west of Hangzhou to meet the Greentown China on Saturday.

However, the jet set of the Gunners did not stop there, as they head to Germany to deal with the Bundesliga in Cologne next week, after a brief trip home in north London.

It is far from typical Wenger preseason routine of taking his players to Austria and I think Walcott is one that could make a dent in the body of the players.

"In previous years we only went to Austria and Holland, so it does not take too much out of you," he told Arsenal.com.

"It will hit you at some point, but we've just got to get used to it.

"It 'still a long way before the season, so we should retrieve from the stage to come.

"I do not think it's fair. I'm looking forward to the challenge we face a different place and I've never been before.

"It will be a completely different experience, and culture is so different.

"I am thrilled with the amount of support that exists.

"I heard voices outside during the training sessions there will be a 50,000-plus is there so that it is simply amazing.

"It's good just to see these people who could never meet again and if we can do something to help the club as well as a brand, we will grow and have a larger fan base."

After the trip to the Far East and Central Europe, Arsenal will host the annual Emirates Cup at the end of the month, where they will face Boca Juniors, and New York Red Bulls.

Club legend Thierry Henry is now the second sack of his trade, which is Walcott thinks make it special.

Moreover, 22 suggested that the French soon joined by fellow Big Apple fan favorite of Jens Lehmann.

"It will be an interesting battle of faith, and of course you get to see Thierry return to the same," he said.

"I heard a rumor that Jens would have joined - I do not know if it's true - but again, it will be great.

"It 'just great to play in front of the fans in the UAE and hopefully show them what we do and we're ready for this.

"We will not treat it as a friendly - not really handle any game as a preseason friendly to be honest - we like to go there and win.

"And if we can win the Emirates Cup which will be great, and then hopefully we can go ahead and try to win the championship because it is the most important."