Emirates happy with soccer sponsorships and looking for more

Emirates Airline is happy with its multi-million dollar sponsorship of English soccer club Arsenal, but is keen to supplement it with other major sports deals.

The company has released a statement underlining its satisfaction with the English Premier League club, which once again secured a Champions League place this season but has not won a trophy since 2005.

"As stated by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Ivan Gazidis, chief executive for Arsenal Football Club at a recent press conference, both the airline and Arsenal are very happy with this partnership and looking forward to the future," said a spokesman for the company. "In fact, Emirates and Arsenal are so confident of the future of their partnership that on May 21 it was announced that they have joined forces to open an Arsenal Soccer School in Dubai."

However, the airline also confirmed it was keen to tie up other major deals. In recent weeks it has been linked with a US$27 million sponsorship agreement with AC Milan, the Italian soccer club. Though the company insisted that deal has not been signed, it admitted it is looking at opportunities around the globe. "Emirates' sponsorship is a constantly evolving situation and we are always looking at new opportunities and partnerships," said a statement from the company, which has also signed a partnership with the Breeders' Cup in recent weeks.