Arsenal now stand alone as the only top club not owned by a multi-gazillionaire or "sugar daddy".
Indeed, they are one of the few top clubs in Europe that don't run at a loss every season.
This is not just in reference to the Manchester City takeover, but a global football trend that is manifesting itself in the Premiership.
Big spending owners who think nothing of throwing expansive sums of money to build their "football manager" style super-club.
In comparison to this, the owners of Arsenal F.C. are a more conservative bunch of people, with a definite eye on maintaining stability and financial security for the club. Add to that, they just don't have the billions to throw around.
Arsenal's record transfer fee is still only £13million, when they signed Sylvain Wiltord from Bordeaux in 2000. Compare this to most other top clubs and they are way behind.
Arsene Wenger's transfer policy does seem to compliment the Arsenal financial structure in that he buys players young, for a comparatively cheap price, and generally sells for a profit when the player is surplus to requirements or decides to leave.
A recent comment by Wenger, referring to Gareth Barry's fee, gave an insight to not only the manager's, but also the club's thinking:
"These older players you pay a lot but can get nothing in return."
Now, he is not talking about return on the pitch, but return in the bank balance. Older players have far less resale value for the club, younger players value rises along with their career, so financially at least, it keeps Arsenal in a good position.
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It is becoming more difficult to compete for the Premiership and the European crown as more and more clubs are taken over by big money. Arsenal still manage it year after year though.
Smaller clubs in the top division are increasingly becoming bit-part players in the greater scheme of things, rather than genuine contenders for the crown. Talk of the "Big Four" becoming five has drawn criticism from some corners, but isn't a more competitive league good for the game?
Fans of lesser clubs now look for a "sugar-daddy" to come and lift them to glory with big name signings and international superstars.
Is all of this a good thing for football in the long term?
Will football as we know it end up a soulless plaything of the uber-rich?
Or will it come crashing down around the ears of the faithful?
I am not talking about Man City or Chelsea or any other club specifically, but in a general sense for football.
The past few years have seen the rapid growth of "buy to win", "win at all costs", and clubs paying higher and higher fees to get their man.
I have always thought Wenger's strategy of style and stability was a good one. I have never lost faith in the managers ability to be able to compete with the richer clubs on a lower budget than the other top teams do.
But now the question needs to be asked. Is Arsenal and Wenger's policy the way of the future, or is it dooming Arsenal to mediocrity in years to come?
Maybe the money bubble will burst.
Maybe the big money owners will tire of their playthings and move on.
If that happens, Arsenal will be surely left standing proud as the other clubs fall around them, due to years of indifference to balanced books.
Maybe the money bubble won't burst.
Maybe it will make the league ultimately more competitive as more clubs are taken over.
If that happens, Arsenal will need to find their own money man or face being left behind in the new age.
Personally, I can't wait to see what happens. I believe all of the doom and gloom about the new Man City owners and their wads of cash is misplaced. We have heard it all before.
As for Arsenal, I feel we will be fine. We have good heads running the club both at board level and on the pitch. We also have our own potential Russian "money man" waiting in the wings if the current policy goes pear shaped.
We also have my membership fee every year along with the thousands of others...
So long as football is the ultimate victor in the new age, and doesn't end up regretting the move into mega-bucks, I'll be happy.
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2 months ago
Good article. I don't really support any team in the premier league, but I always admired Arsenal's approach to football. I did, though, hear some Arsenal fans complain about Wenger's lack of spending. I hope the pressure to match the big spenders doesn't force the club to abandon its values. I'd hate to see them sell-out for an attention-seeking billionaire who wouldn't know football even if it smacked him in the face.
It's refreshing to see a team like Arsenal and manager like Wenger, and I don't care if they never win the league, they are the only team that gets me out of my comfy apartment and into the stadium. Does that make me an Arsenal supporter?
from 2 months ago
There are always fans who will complian about lack of big spending. Wenger has been quoted as saying ' if you spend 40 million on a player, you want him to score with every touch'. I think his general outlook is not to spend if you don't really need to. We do alright without the mega spending at the moment and i'm pretty happy with the team we have.... and yes, that could make you an Arsenal supporter...welcome to the club...lol
2 months ago
This is a great article and it was about time the question was asked about the future of football in light of millionaire takeovers in recent years. I think Arsene's philosophy has actually kept a refreshing picture and youth is the preferred strategy at the Emirates that works, although even I have come across some fans who are getting slightly frustrated at their lack of high profile signings.
If I remember correctly Jose Antonio Reyes was actually one of their most expensive signings.
That said I believe the youth policy will end as soon as Arsene Wenger is succeeded by another manager. It's unimaginable that they would be having £20 million bidding wars with top clubs but when Wenger isn't around that might all change.
from 2 months ago
I know the Reyes ultimate fee was higher but I think a lot of the add-ons failed to materialise. I agree with your other point, whoever ultimately succeeds Wenger may not carry on his philosophy.
2 months ago
wow man this really is a good article and as ricky pointed out, you are asking the right questions, and i think abt reyes too. and ofcourse it will be sad day when Wenger leaves, but i hope someone, (maybe Pat?) could keep thing running like Wenger does.
from 2 months ago
Not sure who we would go for if Wenger left, not sure if Pat could do the job as well as Arsene. Certainly couldn't do the press interviews.. no room there for four letter words...lol
2 months ago
No Ana Maria you aren't an Arsenal Supporter...yet. you just love the way we play the game... But It's the team u seem to like the most, so yyou might as well support Arsenal
from 2 months ago
Yes, especially since it would save me a lot of money as I already have the shirt, the scarf, the gym bag, and the cap.
2 months ago
I think that Arsenal follow a certain policy, and that it's right for us. As I've always been saying, you can't rely on one person for all your money - you're bound to lose eventually.
The Italian league was one of the richest in the 1990s, but you see where they are today. Whatever goes up will always go down, and as for Arsenal, fiscal responsibility is a must - and I must say that Wenger is doing a good job on that front.
from 2 months ago
Completely agree Shyam. The only problem we may have however is in the future if football goes the way of the cash bag... Then we may have to change tactic to stay alive. For now we are one of the most stable clubs financially and i'm hoping we stay that way..
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