VietNamNet Bridge - After three days in Vietnam, Coach Wenger and his team had a lot of memories and wonderful experience.

“The Running Man” - the hero in the eyes of Arsenal players

Warm reception

The first look and first feeling are always important. Once they arrived at the Noi Bai Airport, Arsenal was welcomed thoughtfully, passionately. They were presented with traditional and simple gifts of Vietnam - conical hats and lotus flowers. At the press conference in the afternoon of July 15, Coach Wenger said he had known about the conical hat and had special emotions when he wore it, though it was not easy.

The photos featuring coach Wenger and his players wearing the Vietnamese conical hats appeared on many foreign newspapers and news sites. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the game organizers presented Arsenal the most meaningful gifts, which showed the host country’s hospitality and national pride.

Vietnamese fans’ overenthusiastic reception impressed Wenger and his players. Hundreds of fans waited all night at the airport to welcome Arsenal. Midfielder Chamberlain was surprised at enthusiastic fans. He stressed: "The passion is hard to believe."

The heat from the local media

Before coming to Vietnam, Arsenal was informed by the organizers of the attention of the local media. Anywhere the team was, it was surrounded by a lot of reporters. At the "headquarters" of the team – InterContinental Hotel, reporters kept watch of the team from morning to night to record any activity of the players.

Midfielder Mikel Arteta said: "Vietnam journalism is more powerful than we imagined. So we feel very clear about the Vietnamese sentiment for us."

The meaningful social activities

Arsenal came to Hanoi not only to play a simple game; its main goal is to promote its image to Vietnam fans. Compared with MU or other famous clubs, the number of Arsenal fans in Vietnam is still modest, but Arsenal believes that after this tour, its name will be more widely known and supported in Vietnam.

Wenger and his team traveled Hanoi streets, visited the Hoan Kiem Lake and the One Pillar Pagoda on their first day in Vietnam.

On the second day, they went to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, met with fans at the Keangnam building, with child footballers of Hoang Anh Gia Lai academy, played a game on the street of Hanoi ... The most impressive event was to blindfold to play a football game with the blind students of the Nguyen Dinh Chieu School.

Admiring “The Running Man”

The largest imprint with Arsenal is the image of "The Running Man."

Vu Xuan Tien’s act received the applause and enthusiasm of many fans. He also became a hot topic during Arsenal’s summer tour to Asia and appeared in the leading newspapers in the UK.

Vu Xuan Tien became a lucky fan and represented the image of a true fan who strives for a burning love. For then, now he became a world famous known as “The Running Man."

According to Wenger, the decisive factor leading to the idea of taking this guy to Britain is the "Running Man" has extraordinary willpower, who did not give up before the difficult task. This can be useful for Arsenal players in the tough games next season.

My Dinh fires

At the practice on July 15, there were nearly 30,000 fans flocking to My Dinh stadium to watch their idols. Wenger and his players were certainly very surprised and happy to see such huge number of fans.

However, My Dinh stadium actually became a fire pan in the friendly match between Vietnam and Arsenal the next night. There was no blank seat in the stadium. Just after each goal, the My Dinh stadium exploded. Wenger admitted after the match that he had never seen such an emotional celebration like this, after Manh Dung scored a goal for Vietnam at the 79th minute.

The unforgettable moments of Arsenal in Vietnam:

Giroud scores the first goal against Vietnam at My Dinh stadium.

Coach Wenger with the conical hat.

Arsenal players play a game with young football talents of the Hoang Anh Gia Lai Football Academy.

The French coach tries the Vietnam traditional musical instrument.

Arsenal players with visually impaired students at Nguyen Dinh Chieu School.

"The Running Man" Vu Xuan Tien.

Arsenal players take photo at the One Pillar Pagoda.

Arsenal players during the practice at My Dinh stadium.

Arsenal players waved to the audience after the friendly match at My Dinh Stadium.

The enthusiastic audience.

Arsenal players worship Buddhas at the Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Rosicky appears before the audiences in the rehearsal on July 15.

Arsenal players take off their shirts, throw to the stands.

Vietnam fans welcome Arsenal with flares.

Nguyen Nam