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Arsenal Considers Summer 2012 Preseason Tour of Nigeria to Build Club’s Profile in West Africa

It looks as if last summer's Asian tour will not be the last time Arsenal visists fans in far-off places. The Guardian is reporting that Arsenal could make a summer 2012 tour around Nigeria, playing local teams. It is part of a campaign to market Arsenal throughout the world.

Many Nigerians may be familiar with Arsenal because Nigerian striker Nwankwo Kanu played for the London club from 1999-2004. Kanu played a role in 197 games for Arsenal, scoring 44 goals.

Wenger was not too pleased when his team traveled to East Asia during an eight day tour last summer, because of the distance traveled in a short duration of time. At the same time, majority shareholder Stan Kroenke relies on "development of commercial revenue streams" to help his team compete financially.

Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis says the club would like to translate Arsenal's global profile into revenue, and summer tours are one way to do that. 

Arsenal seems to have made strides financially, and that could show in a report it expects to release by late February.