YIWU, Zhejiang province - Despite ending its taxing Asia tour over the weekend with a struggling tie in pouring rain, Premier League club Arsenal's manager, Arsene Wenger, still hailed the seven-day trip a "huge success".

"Although we couldn't seal a victory tonight, we witnessed how much Arsenal are loved in Asia and how much the Premier League has penetrated here. It's a hugely successful visit for us," Wenger said after his squad was held 1-1 by Chinese Super League (CSL) club, Hangzhou Greentown, at Yiwu Meihu stadium in the final match of its Asian adventure last Saturday.

"In China and Malaysia we are starting to become really popular so that is a positive sign," said Wenger, who led the Gunners to a stunning 4-0 victory over the Malaysia XI on its first stop of the pre-season journey last Wednesday. "There is a big potential fan base here and we have had a good experience as a team together."

The former Premier League champion then came to Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, for fans' parties and an open training session amid thousands of cheering local supporters. The Gunners followed this by heading to Yiwu for their second friendly on July 16.

Wenger admitted Greentown, which finished fourth in the CSL last season, proved to be a "tougher" opponent than they expected.

"I was surprised by the performance of the Chinese team tonight. They played pretty well in defense," said the 61-year-old Frenchman.

Promising a strong comeback, Wenger and his team face the possibility of losing two starting lineup members for the new season, as Barcelona FC was reported to be luring playmaker Cesc Fabregas and the Gunners' league opponent Manchester City is trying to sign star midfielder Samir Nasri with a big deal.

Fabregas' possible departure seemed certain when he decided not to join the team's Asia tour after Barcelona's captain Xavi Hernandez claimed on the club's website that "Cesc is suffering because he wants to come".

However, Wenger shrugged off the rumors, stressing "they are both still our players".

"I won't respond to that, because it's not relevant to this trip. So far, they are still our players. It has to stop, of course. If there is a transfer negotiation between two clubs, I don't think it is healthy if irrelevant players come out (and talk).

"Unfortunately, in this case, it has happened a few times. It will not contribute to sorting any problem out," said Wenger, who described Hernandez's remarks as disrespectful.

China Daily

(China Daily 07/18/2011 page23)