Arsenal stars play Mahjong, make dumplings and speak MANDARIN in hilarious Chinese New Year video
Players including Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Nacho Monreal and Alex Iwobi all don traditional oriental coats and hand out lucky red packets to please their fans in the Far East
Posted Monday, February 04, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk
ARSENAL stars took part in a hilarious Chinese New Year video that captured them playing Mahjong, making dumplings and speaking MANDARIN to each other.
The North London team were revealed as the most popular international football club among fans in the Far East a few years ago.
Arsenal players took part in a funny video to wish their Chinese fans a happy Lunar New Year
China has an estimated 187 million football supporters, more than three times England's entire population, and remains an important market for Arsenal.
The Gunners recruited top stars including Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, and Alex Iwobi to depict a number of common Chinese things to celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Their video was released by the team's account on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter, and features the players using the most popular Mandarin phrases.
This year's amusing clip, which was done in a complete oriental style, marks the third time Arsenal have commemorated the holiday with a celebratory video.
Aaron Ramsey will be soon speaking Italian but brushed up on his Mandarin in this clip
From left to right, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Bernd Leno, Sead Kolasinac and Nacho Monreal ask for red envelopes from their supporters in the clip
In the video, under-fire Ozil can be seen visiting Ramsey's 'home' and bringing him gifts and the two have an exchange in Mandarin.
Rambo, who will depart for Italy this summer, tells his team-mate: "It's sufficient that you've come, why are you bringing stuff?" to which he replies: "To wish you a happy new year with a token of my regard."
The social media clip also shows Matteo Guendouzi unleash a bundle of firecrackers held by Laurent Koscielny while Iwobi gratefully receives a plate of dumplings.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Bernd Leno, Sead Kolasinac and Nacho Monreal then play a game of Mahjong before the players' quiz their Chinese fans in Mandarin.
Manager Unai Emery also appears at the end of the footage
Gunners boss Unai Emery also makes an appearance at the end of the video to enunciate the phrase, "xin nian kuai le (Happy New Year)", while holding four lucky red packets.
The marketing video is the latest stride by Arsenal to enlarge its growing reputation in China after a flagship bar was opened last June at the Lyceum Building in Shanghai.
Arsenal, who are nicknamed "The Factory", in the Far East, also announced its plan to open several more themed restaurants in China, according to Financial Times.
Owner Stan Kroenke also has his eye on conquering Europe after challenging the Gunners to emulate the success of Sean McVay's LA Rams and win the Champions League.
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