'People will start to know us now' - Iraola on US trip

Image source, Getty Images

  • Author, Simon Stone
  • Role, Chief football news reporter in Loa Angeles

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola was not about to let a narrow penalty shootout defeat by Arsenal spoil his overall reflections on a positive trip to the United States.

It is a decade since the Cherries' last visit - and this one was on a totally different scale, against high-profile opposition.

Iraola is delighted at how his players performed in draws against Wrexham and Arsenal.

But he understands there is a wider dimension to the two-match visit to California.

"Arsenal are used to coming here but it is something very important for us as a club," he said.

"Maybe lot of the people didn't know us or our players. Now they will be looking more at AFC Bournemouth.

"It takes a lot of time to build a brand. We are very happy. At the open training session [on Monday] there were a lot of people, including some who made the trip from England to be here.

"It is very good for the club."