Arsenal still ‘supportive’ of 39th Premier League game as club looks for fresh cash

Angus Kinnear, Arsenal's director of marketing, has spoken out about the much-derided 39th Premier League game, saying he would support the proposal if he felt it was of benefit to the club.

Kinnear, who has previously spoken of the difficulty Arsenal face competing on a global scale with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool given manager Arsene Wenger's refusal to undertake money-spinning pre-season tours of the USA and Asia - "Arsene is focused on the football primarily, so the club supports his requirement and therefore the team isn't traipsed around Asia on money-making schemes," he told SportsPro last year - believes the addition to the Premier League calendar would help Arsenal fans around the world connect more closely with the Gunners.

"If it was suitable and worked for the club, I would be supportive of it," Kinnear told Brand Republic of the 39th game, which would see Premier League teams face off in cities around the world. "It would help our global fans engage further with us."

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Kinnear also confirmed that Arsenal are on the hunt for new sponsors 'of a similar size' to the club's shirt and stadium sponsor, Emirates. Emirates has a long-term deal in place with Arsenal, worth some £100 million to the Gunners over 15 years, that sees the club's ground branded Emirates Stadium.

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