Some years back I wrote an article on the comparative popularity and visibility of the Arsenal in Asia. At that time we were a strong second or third after Manchester United so how has 8 trophyless years affected us? I have been lucky enough to spend the last eleven weeks travelling around SE Asia and New Zealand so I was keeping my eye open on where we stood now.
What I noticed that this time around there are a much smaller selection of shirts seen. Before there were the big four [United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea] but you also did see shirts from other teams like Leeds, Everton and Villa or Spurs. This time around, with the exception of Singapore, it was the big four plus Barcalona and Real Madrid and very few other team’s shirts being worn. The Big get bigger!!!
This is what I found in the seven countries I visited, of course everything is subjective and this article reflects what I saw in the places that I visited, who knows what I missed! I also throw in a few travel tips for those of you fortunate enough to be able to visit the area.
New Zealand:
This is the land of Rugby! The EPL is readily available on TV but each night there are 2 or 3 channels at least showing Rugby at all levels. Most sports shirts being worn are Rugby shirts and I truly don’t remember seeing a football shirt even being sold. In some British or Irish pubs you will see adverts for broadcasted games but by and large rugby rules here! The good news of course is Arsenal are no better or worse than any other team. Travel tip: Drive up the west side of the South Island, Glaciers, Mountains and lonely beaches. A truly spectacular drive with wonderfully friendly people.
Malaysia:
The main paper has 4 columnists who each weekend write on Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. Of course, as everywhere in Asia, Manchester United are the biggest club but Liverpool are a very strong second and we are roughly level with Chelsea in third. Barcelona have really improved their visibility since I last visited but the EPL is still the main game in town and in a Saturday paper you will get 3 or 4 pages of EPL coverage. We were much bigger 5 years ago and have definitely slipped but each day I saw at least one Arsenal shirt being worn, sometimes more. You see the occasional QPR shirt around as they are owned by a Malaysian and he sells the shirts in his airline shops, Air Asia. Travel Tip: Kuala Lumpur has a serious violent crime problem so go to Penang which is safer and also has the best food in Asia!
Thailand:
My favourite country in the region and one where Liverpool almost matches United, the residual support from the glory years is very strong and most football adverts on television will show one or both of the clubs. I have to credit the Liverpool supporters in Asia for their loyalty when you consider their relative lack of recent success. Chelsea is quite big here and are certainly third with us just behind them.
Bangkok airport used to have an Arsenal section where you could buy shirts and casual wear. We have been replaced by Leicester City as King Power, who run the Bangkok duty free, sponsor the shirts of that team. What did surprise me is that Everton, whose shirts are sponsored by a major Thai beer company have zero visibility. Travel Trip: Skip Bangkok and go to Chiang Mai, its cooler, cheaper and there is more to do like trekking.
Myanmar:
I did not see football shirts being worn here for any team but I did see the Arsenal v Wigan game on one of their four TV channels. There were adverts around the city showing Arsene Wenger and Arsenal promoting junior football so perhaps we have our foot in the door. Travel Tip: Bring crisp US dollars, ATMs are problematic at best and shops will not accept old US dollars or even a note that has been stapled.
Sri Lanka:
I saw a few shirts around Colombo and we had a good presence, second to United but cricket is the main sport here and the level of support for football appeared much less than in SE Asia.
Travel Tip: If you plan to travel outside Colombo allow lots of time or fly, roads are bad.
Indonesia:
I was in Bali so most shirts you see are for Australian Rugby or football as that’s where the tourists come from but EPL shirts are around and United, Arsenal and Manchester City were all spotted by your hard working correspondent! Travel Tip: Bali is spectacularly beautiful but if you go then avoid Kuta which is rightly called the armpit of Bali due to it being overrun by drunken Aussie youths on the lookout for women .
Singapore:
You will have noticed I have not mentioned Tottenham as I truly had never seen anyone wearing their shirt. Imagine my surprise when on a pub crawl with my nephew I saw a banner with Singapore Tottenham Hotspurs Supporters Club opposite a bar we were in. I couldn’t resist and I just had to go over and ask one of the guys at the stand… WHY??
Even more astonishing there was around 20 people there and Glen Hoddle was giving a talk. I asked him who was the best Arsenal player he faced and he said it was between Rix and Brady but felt on balance it was Brady. He seemed a decent enough guy and as the only Gooner there they treated me well. Kudos to Singapore Spurs fans but still… WHY? WHY Spurs???
Travel Tip:. Aa night on the town in Singapore is amazingly expensive, a small bottle of beer will cost a tenner or more!! If you are a beer drinker head for Thailand where It’s still reasonable!!
In conclusion it was a tough 11 weeks of travel and we have sadly fallen back in visibility in SE Asia. We have a loyal and large following in Malaysia and Thailand but the last 8 years have seen the casual fans move from us to United and Chelsea. If we don’t start winning soon then I fear that in another 5 years we will have fallen back even further!! I found Bali and New Zealand to be out of this world spectacular and no one can beat the friendliness of the Thgai people.
Written by neaman
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
I’m a Liverpool fan,from Liverpool.And I us to love watching Arsenal in the 70’s & 80’s they had an identity,I do believe they are ONLY A COUPLE OF PLAYERS SHORT OF WINNING THE TITLE.
People wants trophies not just top4, after all, Arsenal haven’t won the championship cup and only always qualifies to make up the numbers.
Neaman. Really enjoyable read and I am deeply envious of your tour, especially as I took virtually the same trip a few ago.
What surprises me as I travel is how rarely one sees a local teams shirt – in my opinion, MU and Barca are by far the best supported teams worldwide.
The popularity of AFC abroad has definitely diminished since the TH14 days. When I arrived in Denmark, 7 short years ago, we were second most popular whereas now we are probably 5th. Amazingly, there are more kids wearing Barca shirts than FC Købnhavn – but perhaps that is because one can buy cheap rip-offs of Barca shirts in child sizes.
We need to sign a big name and win trophies in order to regain our international popularity, but I guess the club already know that!
Really interesting read thanks and you managed to link my two fave things, the Arsenal and travel! I’m hoping to go to NZ and beyond next year and maybe Bali too, so cheers!
Although its understandable our fan base has slipped over the last few years, I think the pre-season tours may help keep Arsenals popularity at a decent level. Not as much as success of course, but still.
Of course, I could go on about not caring about fair weather plastic fans who flit from one team to another because they have won a pot or two. But I won’t!
Hello’
Here is a list of proven skilled players Arsenal should go after:
Benteke (Aston Villa) .. adapted more than well with the EPL
with 23 goals bagged in his first season; 23 years of age; a style close to Thierry Henry; a will to perform so he would be great great great addition to our team; wants to play for Arsenal as our style of play would suit him perfectly; can scors headers; and last but not least he is a strong player a la Drogba .. hmm what are we waiting for ? reeaallllyyy I can’t see any good explanation. Anyway I believe he’s the one to get and he’s better than Suarez the unstable or Higuain the unsettled.
http://www.footmercato.net/joueur/j53423_christian-benteke
Rooney (MU) .. no need to explain, but he would complete our team with directness in our attacking style and reinforce our English core of players.
Fellaini (Everton) .. scored 12 goals in 36 games last season.. for an attacking minded midfielder it’s quite good One must admit.
He can cut counter-attacks, he’s versatile and can push forward a whole team, a player any team would love to have, should I add he is a proven EPL effective player
http://www.footmercato.net/joueur/j13519_marouane-fellaini
Wanyama (Celtic) .. young, strong holding midfielder, excellent pass, scores long range goals, not injured in Scottish PL, 22 y.of age, would become a Gilberto-Essien type of player.. shouldn’t be too expensive as Southampton almost bought him but the player wants bigger wages and a bigger challenge, hmm The Arsenal maybe ?!?
http://www.footmercato.net/joueur/j53437_victor-wanyama-mariga
Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona FC) .. 26 years old, still young, former Arsenal captain, scores over 10 goals for 4 seasons now, has an amazing pass, sense of creating chances, knows Arsenal from Ato Z, does not have enough playing time at Barca’s, would lead Arsenal to glory this year!, has supposedly a 25 millions buy-back clause, so it would be beneficial for the club to bring bhim back as we sold him for 35 m … another hitch on the back of my head ..
http://www.footmercato.net/joueur/j328_fabregas
Asmir Begovic (Stoke) GK
Amazing shot stopper, Stoke has conceded one of the least amount of goals in EPL this very last season .. ‘nough said he is the shiit!
http://www.footmercato.net/joueur/j30599_asmir-begovic
WATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Salsd3v4P9M
WHAT IS THE BOARD ABOUT WHEN THEY SPEAK WONDERS AS TO STARS THEY WOULD BUY BUT NOTHING EVER HAPPENS .. EVEN IN TERMS OF COMMUNICATIN WITH THEIR FANS ?????
We all do understand the Asia tour is financially good for the team’s finance, but if you’re ready to buy a star, I mean a Hero, you have to be ready to pay him and his former club as a hero!
I think no club today will let one of his star player unless the right amount of cash, and they’re right; they loose a big asset so they need reinforcement behind.
Arsenal is doing good thanks to AW, but when you look at our market, we’re more likely to end with the second-hand market than the elite.
Where is Arsenal going is quite foggy but I will give another season for Arsenal to perform as an attacking threat in the EPL
and win or loose with the right style and the right mentality, nothing less would do.
If we collapse like we did those last few years.
I’ll choose another team to support, enough with playing with my nerves, patience and fanitude.
All the best Gooners!
neaman, lovely post mate.
Now, i have a proposal for you, we should swap lives. These grueling trips must be taking it out of you and been a bit of a softie i offer to relieve you of your burden.
I will visit all these countries for you. Lets face it, ime much better equiped than you, your knackered.
With me out there the masses will be converted within weeks. There wont be enough Arsenal kits to go round. Been honest here mate, but what did you do? just count shirts?, Give me a week and i will have them writing history posts on AA rivaling GN5.
I will also make love to all the women and sort out the Drunken Aussies. This i will do because i have to, not for self satisfaction.
In return, i offer you an estranged wife, who is forcing me to live in the Loft of my own house.In this fabulous “apartment” i have a 1987 TV which appeared in the aclaimed show Bullseye, an electric heater that fails to work if its cold, and a micro wave machine. It also has a great view of the Bounds Green Road, so you can watch passers by enjoying themselves as you dine on Ready meals.
I also have money. Unfortunatley, i also have an ex wife as well as the estranged one, so most of it goes to them. But i have crafted a safe place under the stair floorboard were i put all my coppers. I wake up and count it whilst the world sleeps, its a very exciting experience. Theres £62.54 there, and its all yours my friend.
What do you say? hahaha
TMHT. 😀
Luxury ……
Enjoyed the read Neaman. Did find the Bali – Aussie connection a bit offensive though. I’m there every 6 months…in Kuta. Not as many Aussies there as their used to be and if there are drunken Aussies it’s in Legian (strip of Night clubs that every nationality frequent).
I’m sure most who’ve had drinks with Australians would argue they are far from horrible people.
Nice one, Neaman. 🙂
Sadly, in my travels, which have included certain African countries, it seems to me that Manure, Barca and Liverpool (Liverpool? – yes they are well known in parts of Africa, as well as Chelsea) are the best supported clubs by reference to shirts worn.
I have seen a number of Arsenal shirts in Spain, a while ago, probably because of Cesc, and the style of football we ‘used’ to play.
I have watched the Tour de France over the last two years, and have seen a number of questions raised on blogs, regarding the jersey colors that are competed for.
So for the uninitiated (how many ‘i’s in that word?) here is the variations.
— During the totality of the race, the reigning World Champion wears his team colors, but on a special jersey with horizontal stripes.
— National current road champions wear team jerseys featuring their country’s colors.
Four other different colored jerseys are competed for in every stage. (Each day).
In order of ‘importance’.
— The yellow jersey is worn by the race leader.
— The green jersey is worn by the race’s best sprinter.
— The polka dot jersey is worn by the race’s best climber.
— The white jersey is reserved for the highest-ranked rider in the overall competition who is aged 25 or younger.
Now we all know. 🙂
Very enjoyable read neaman.
My travels have taken me through many European counties and I’ve pretty much covered North America and much of Mexico but never Asia. New Zealand has always been on my wish list as I have a cousin who’s husband has a Deer farm in the mountains.
Bali sounds marvelous, I won a trip to Fiji about 20 years back but it conflicted with my work itinerary so my sister and brother in law went instead. it was a 14 day trip but they enjoyed it so much that they stayed a month and continue to communicate with a Fijian family they stayed with.
I live in Singapore – most football fans here I’ve come across have been Man U ones.
I’ve travelled a lot round Asia too. I remember about 15 years back I was in the foothills of the Himalayas – Sikkim, since you asked – and I saw a guy wearing a Crystal Palace shirt. How times have changed.
Best shirt I’ve ever seen though was an old England one with “Wiltord” on the back.
???
Great job. I am always curious about these things. So much detailed info!
Nice post, neamman.
I presume our popularity around the world will pretty much reflect our league position.
Up the England
http://twitpic.com/d2mam0/full
We look pretty popular in Indonesia. 🙂
thanks for the warnings Neaman, no reason for me to go to Asia, good. Two days in Warsaw and I had only seen 1 football shirt, but it was the right one 🙂
Micky – I am ok, brought lots of tripe soup from Tescos, cheaper in UK than here
Afternoon all, lovely post Neamann, and interesting too.
I wonder if our failure to join the pre season sell our souls tour has led to our support suffering as a result?
I guess the SE Asia markets are saturated already, whilst we need to retain the support there we also need to find new markets which is why I believe the club are itching to get the team to Africa.
Just watched the Arsenal vs Indonesia All-Stars – good support in the packed stadium. Interestingly I am now watching the Man City vs SS Utd game in South Africa – poor crowd turnout, and some of those are wearing Man U and Arsenal shirts. You can buy expensive players but not fans I suppose.
I am currently in DR Congo and the only English shirts I regularly see are Arsenal ones!!!
Ian – and they are the only ones anyone needs to see
Oz Gunner
No offence meant to Aussies in general. seem a nice bunch from those I have met but Kuta is called the armpit of Bali by locals, all named Rhonda apparently!! :>)
Kuta is probably the equivalent of some of the old Spanish towns I used to visit on the Costa del..whatever. Lloretta del mar rings a bell. But that was inhabited by drunken young Brits looking for women, myself included!!
I think its an age thing and watching midget boxing on the Kuta club strip just isn’t my thing any more. Don’t know if you agree but Kuta is one of the few places in Asia I didn’t feel completely safe when walking around late at night.
TMHT
I will keep your most generous offer in mind, I have a similar trip penciled in for 2015 so keep collecting those coppers and maybe .. just maybe.. I will give you a call!!!!!
Ian, I saw surprisingly few MC shirts anywhere, lots on sale..but few being worn.
Big Raddy
the only place I see a lot of local shirts is in Thailand.
Tried to watch the Arsenal game here in DR Congo, but the streaming quality was so poor – luckily the DStv satellite feed is brilliant and it is wall to wall football. I will be gutted when I get home, just in time for the new season to start.
Man City lost 2-0 by the way and they looked very poor (particularly Cashri!!!!
Some excellent goals….
http://player.arsenal.com/
Thiago joined Bayern Munich rather than Man Utd.
2 things……haha bloody ha at ManUre without SAF. Second thing Pep Guardiola signed Thiago not Cesc…..relevant?
Ok playing the rumours game…..
Cisse is apparently not being allowed to train with the first team as he is refusing to wear the Wonga sponsored shirt due to his faith. Ok he is 28 but reckon he could do a job on a cut price deal? We can give them NikB and Chamakh.
he wasn’t that good last year. I would rather we go for Benteke.
Great piece Neaman – really fascinating.
It’s been some years since I was in Asia but in the past I have been to Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. Back then you mainly saw ManUre shirts (the most popular) followed by Liverpool and us. Mind you, at that time we had the likes of Thierry, Dennis and Patrick so it’s no surprise we were popular.
We’ll be back to trophy-winning ways soon and our international popularity will increase accordingly.
Off to the sunny South – will get online when possible.
Have a fine summer, my friends.
I really enjoyed this article, and I can’t explain why. But a very imaginative post. Well done neamman.
Have a great trip, BR.
We love you Arse-Na, we do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYsT4mx3_qY
Thank you Neaman for a very original angle.
Can’t comment on the Far East myself, but last week one of my Brother’s was staying (spent last 30 years living out that way). On the sunday, we all went to lunch at a friends, and a travel writer was there who specializes in your area. So I had to listen to them discussing all the places you mention.
I have a treat for you. Somewhere to add to your next list. My Brother, and in part the writer bloke, was adamant everywhere is pretty much ruined with the exception of Burma.
So, somewhere new for you 🙂 Thanks very much for post.
Missed a Goodbye to Daddy.
Now, Italy, damn I wish I was coming with you 🙂
Have a great summer Raddy.
Harro to you Chas 🙂
Amazingly, it’s still all Suarez in the Red Tops.
You’d think it would be a very un-Arsene style of signing in that the player has a reputation as a disruptive dressing room influence.
For me, there is no better suited style of player out there.
Great day for LB in the Tour, and Rasp in the Cricket. Wow, just been reading about the Ventoux stage. Amazing. Puts my rather relaxed fitness regime into perspective 😦
Micky and Chas – I need a BIG favour!! I need 2 tickets for the Ems Cup Arsenal v Galatasary on 4th August. I am stuck in Warsaw and forgot to bring my cards with me, including the AFC membership card. Could you PLEASE buy me 2 ticks @29 each and I will reimburse you after 22nd July?
Lads
I need your help, or rather an interpretation of what’s really going on.
Can it be a coincidence we’re apparently after a RM Player, while at the same time apparently flirting with their own apparent target.
Is there a secret agenda here?
Micky – what fitness regime? ROLFing is not an exercise.
Micky. Isn’t Burma now called Myanmar? 🙂
Not very original….
You might be right, Micky. If Madrid are playing silly buggers over The Hig, why not go for Hannibal? I’d still be amazed if we got either though.
Neaman
Chas is right. Burma IS Myanmar, so for goodness sake don’t book yet another flight, as you’ve already been there 🙂
I also have money. Unfortunatley, i also have an ex wife as well as the estranged one, so most of it goes to them. But i have crafted a safe place under the stair floorboard were i put all my coppers. I wake up and count it whilst the world sleeps, its a very exciting experience. Theres £62.54 there, and its all yours my friend.
Terry you are a funny man Lmao at the above.
Much love
sheep hagger
Tmht for prime minister
Chas
My regime is a nightmare.
The surfboard I really want to buy requires me to lose about twelve pounds in weight. Options are, exercise furiously, and get hungry as a result, or lie very still and do fuck all. Problem with the latter, is I also need strong stomack and shoulders/arms.
Morning all …….
….. new post …….