Our Singapore Supporters Club have been waiting seven years for a chance to see us in action on their turf once again, and as we gear up for back-to-back games in the nation, excitement levels are reaching fever pitch.
We will take on AC Milan and Newcastle United in our first matches in the South-East Asian state since a visit in 2018, when we triumphed 5-1 against Paris Saint-Germain and a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid.
That visit came three years after our ever trip to Singapore, in which club captain at the time, Mikel Arteta, lifted the Premier League Asia Trophy by defeating Everton.
You only have to speak with the vice-president of the supporters club, Lance Lim, for a matter of moments to understand the excitement levels over there.
"It's been coming," Lance said. "We are so glad to be able to welcome the team back to our shores once more. Our WhatsApp group chat has been non-stop, I think it's going to be something really special.
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"We will be having a fan party that doesn't just welcome our supporters club but supporters clubs throughout the region, all here to support the club we love."
It was a wonder strike from Thierry Henry against Manchester United in 2000, coupled with hours of video games with his brother, that inspired Lance to start supporting Arsenal, and he hasn't looked back since
In 2007, the Singapore Supporters Club was founded, first watching matches in Modesto's bar before later hosting matches at BQ Bar or Molly Malone's, with fans getting up at all hours in order to support Mikel Arteta's stars.
"The funny story is I was I was 16 years old at the time, so I was still in school and my teacher was the one who shared about the supporters club with me," Lance added. "Since then I have been going to join the lads for the games and stuff.
"I see him every now and then and I remind him that even though he has left teaching, he will always be a teacher in my eyes, the one who brought me into the fan club."
Arsenal singapore supporters 2015
From staying up until 5am at a packed-out pub to watch our victory over Barcelona in 2011, to savouring our back-to-back FA Cup triumphs, there's never been a dull moment in the Singapore Supporters Club.
Following our success in the FA Cup in 2015, we embarked on our first tour of Singapore, but an internship thwarted Lance's chance to see his heroes in action.
Fortunately, his time would come again in 2018, attending the fan party and our games against PSG and Atletico.
This time around, Lance has been more involved in the organising of events, but on the pitch, he's excited that Singapore supporters will be getting the first glance of our newest Gunners in action.
"I'll be going to both games this time, no internship is going to stop me," he joked. "I think this is a great time to be a supporter of the club and we are at our highest levels of membership.
"I’m excited as well because fans in Singapore will be the first to watch the team for this season play. It will be the first opportunity to see the likes of Zubimendi and the other new signings gel on the pitch.
Arsenal supporters 2018
"Fans in Singapore should not miss the chance to see us in action, you never know when it might happen again so definitely come along and support the Gunners!"
Seeing fans from all over the world come to Singapore brings joy to Lance, and he's hopeful that the nation can put on a show for the team upon their arrival.
"There’s a real big following, people here are very passionate about the team.
"When we watch matches, everyone is in their favourite kits. I would say there's a little friendly competition - you know some people will break out a classic from '99 or '98 and everybody will start talking about it. It's a really fun atmosphere."
"It’s about community, really. I don’t think there are a lot of supporters' clubs that do what we do. We go through the whole rollercoaster of emotions every game. We have seen so many games and we have seen a lot of highs in that time. We are so excited about the future under Mikel Arteta, there’s a lot of optimism back in the club.
"As a fanbase we are all together. It’s definitely about having people together who understand the same emotions we are all going through, the club that we love and celebrating like mad whenever we have big wins, I think it’s really special."
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