Football
ESPN staff 9y

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger expects competitive Barclays Asia Trophy final

SINGAPORE -- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he is expecting a tough battle from Everton in the Barclays Asia Trophy final at the 55,000-capacity Singapore National Stadium on Saturday.

Arsenal beat a Singapore Select XI 4-0 on Wednesday with a hat trick from Chuba Akpom, while Everton drew 0-0 with Stoke but advanced to the final of the friendly tournament with a 5-4 win on penalties.

"Everton's game on Wednesday against Stoke was very competitive," Wenger told a news conference. "Both teams were competitive and there were some really tough tackles in that game. Besides, Everton will be really focused to winning this tournament and starting the season on a high as they did not have a great last season."

Wenger, the longest serving manager in the Premier League and a six-time FA Cup winner, has been pleasantly surprised by the passionate support for his club and the Premier League in Singapore.

When asked how much the unbeaten "Invincibles" he had managed to the Premier League title in 2003-04 had developed the global branding of the Gunners, he added: "I don't know about that. But I am surprised at how important English football has become worldwide and the Barclays Asia Trophy in Singapore is a perfect example of this."

Meanwhile, midfielder Aaron Ramsey insisted he will be using the Barclays Asia Trophy final to get into shape before the start of the 2015-16 season after he struggled injuries last campaign including a hamstring complaint which forced him out of action for a month in October.

"I am looking forward to playing against Everton," he said. "These are demanding conditions -- very hot and humid. However, it is good to test oneself against a good opposition in these conditions. Hopefully, the tournament will help me get back to my best form.

"More than anything else, it has been an overwhelming experience playing in front of a passionate and knowledgeable Singapore crowd."

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