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Arsenal and Manchester City set for summer friendly in China
The two Premier League giants hope to expand their followings in the Asian economic powerhouse by playing a glamour pre-season match at the Bird's Nest Olympic stadium
09-Feb-2012 2:08:43 AM
By George Ankers
Getty Images
Arsenal and Manchester City are to contest a pre-season match in Beijing in the summer, Chinese officials have confirmed.
The two sides will face off in the Bird’s Nest stadium, built for the 2008 Olympic Games, with the exact date to be revealed soon.
The Beijing Football Association announced that the Premier League rivals will revive their connections to China with full-strength line-ups being refereed by the 2010 World Cup final referee Howard Webb, and a selection of Chinese team of match officials.
Arsenal visited the Asian nation for the first time last summer and were said to be surprised at the positive reception they received, while City are becoming more well-known in the country after initally coming to the fore with the signing of China international Sun Jihai in 2002.
In an effort to have the match played at a high standard, the turf at the Bird’s Nest will be temporarily prevented from being used from July 1 until the day of the game.
The two sides will face off in the Bird’s Nest stadium, built for the 2008 Olympic Games, with the exact date to be revealed soon.
The Beijing Football Association announced that the Premier League rivals will revive their connections to China with full-strength line-ups being refereed by the 2010 World Cup final referee Howard Webb, and a selection of Chinese team of match officials.
Arsenal visited the Asian nation for the first time last summer and were said to be surprised at the positive reception they received, while City are becoming more well-known in the country after initally coming to the fore with the signing of China international Sun Jihai in 2002.
In an effort to have the match played at a high standard, the turf at the Bird’s Nest will be temporarily prevented from being used from July 1 until the day of the game.
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