It was there that ourselves alongside our sister club LA Rams put on a coaching clinic for a host of youngsters to get them involved in both the round and oval ball versions of what we both call football.
Even a decade ago, this would have been seen as a novelty event, but judging by the amount of children draped in football jerseys spanning a plethora of clubs and countries across the world – including a few sightings of our own famous red and white – here’s no doubt the game we gave to the world has certainly embedded itself in America.
When Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard arrived, the kids excitedly chatted to the duo, momentarily taking their starry-eyed attentions away from Rams head coach Sean McVay and star player Cooper Kupp. And our manager and skipper were more than happy to oblige, having a laugh with the participants and encouraging them to practice their skills, as well as providing a few pointers.
Later that afternoon, both were put in front of the media for a press conference, and Mikel admitted the aim is to increase the number of Arsenal shirts worn should a similar event be held in the future, starting with tomorrow’s game against Manchester United.
“It’s an opportunity for us to connect with our supporters,” he said. “If they’re Arsenal supporters then great, and if they are football supporters let’s get them to become Arsenal supporters. That would mean that we produced certain joy and excitement in them in the way that we play the game.”
It just goes to show that as well as the fitness and match sharpness, we’re also looking to make an impact with these games in the USA, and inspire some fresh followers of the game to fall in love with it like we all did, and hopefully opt to wear a cannon on their chest for the rest of their lives.
