Carrot and stick: After Rwandan president’s criticism of Arsenal, tourist board renews sleeve deal

August 18 – Rwandan President Paul Kagame may be furious with Arsenal’s opening day loss to newly promoted Brentford, but it hasn’t stopped the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) extending its sleeve sponsorship through to 2025, according to reports.

Last weekend Kagame tweeted: “We just must NOT excuse or accept mediocrity. A team has to be built with purpose to win win win.”

This week his tourist board committed to a further four seasons with the renewal of the deal first signed in 2018 at £10 million per year.

The renewal is reportedly at the same price of £10 million per season, committing the RDA to a further £40 million with the club.

Kagame wrote: “Brentford deserved to win and they did. The game itself aside Arsenal and the fans don’t deserve to kind of get used to this.”

“It’s been a struggle of about decade(s) – ups&downs – more downs until this point. Can’t we have a plan that really works?? One part to look at is how we deal in the market – players we buy to execute the plan. The touch&go mentality does not bring change.”

He will doubtless hoping his country’s extra £40 million into the club will help bring the change he wants.

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