Memo to Arsenal's Peter Hill-Wood: Don't Talk Like a Man Defeated

Remember when you were small and your parents would say "If you haven't got something nice to say, then don't say anything"?

Well, judging by his comments over the last few weeks, Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood certainly missed out on this lesson.

Speaking directly to the tabloid The Daily Mirror, Hill-Wood said:

"There is no denying that it would be a real financial drain on the club if we didn't qualify for the Champions League next season.

Even if we were in the UEFA Cup and enjoyed a long run in Europe, that would not come close to making up the shortfall. But although missing out on the Champions League for one year would be a big disappointment, it would not mean financial armageddon for Arsenal.

When we worked out the budget, and did our fund-raising calculations in respect of the new stadium, we did not assume we were going to be in the Champions League every season.

That may be an assumption at other clubs, and it's not for me to comment on the way they are run, but we did not want to get out of our depth in terms of paying our bills."

The Arsenal chairman continued by saying that manager Arsene Wenger has been told that it will not be the end of the world should the club not secure a lucrative Champions League spot.

He also admitted that the Gunners are all but out of the title race however "are still serious contenders for a Champions League spot".

So Arsenal are aiming for fourth?

Frankly, as an Arsenal fan this is not good enough.

Yes, obviously the business side of football is extremely important but one would have to question are the Arsenal board cutting off their nose to spite their face?

An investment in the squad over the next three days, be it Andrei Arshavin or otherwise, could be the difference between Arsenal finishing in the Top Four or failing to do so for the first time under Arsene Wenger's guidance.

Surely it is wiser to spend a few million on needed additions now and make sure of a Champions League spot whilst making a go of the two cup competitions we remain in rather than happily trudging along in fifth spot because "it would not mean financial armageddon for Arsenal"?

Money can not only be accumulated from being stingy in the transfer window but by also winning trophies. Manchester United made at least £100million last season from winning the Premiership and Champions League double.

Seems the Champions League is pretty important to me.

The inability of Arsenal to secure a place in European club football's most lucrative competition would be two-fold.

Already Arsenal's player of the season Robin Van Persie has admitted that playing Champions League football is paramount as to whether he will sign a new contract with the North London club.

How happy would Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky, Eduardo, Emmanuel Adebayor, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, and Samir Nasri be playing in Europe's second-tier competition?

Any top club in Europe would welcome any of these players into their squads in a heartbeat.

Furthermore, the Emirates is rarely full these days. Already there are patches of empty seats noticeable around the ground during Premier League games. Just how many Gunners are going to turn up to watch Arsenal take on the runners-up of the Estonian league?

Yes, people will say the loyal Gunners will turn up, of course they will. But we live in recessionary times and Arsenal charge the dearest prices around. Sometimes fans feel that if their loyalty is not been repaid then it may well be best to support Arsenal from the comfort of their own home as they struggle to repay their mortgages.

I welcome the noises I hear from Robin Van Persie. Personally I believe that he loves life at Arsenal and his recent performances have lifted the gloom from around the Grove.

However, he is a winner and only wants to play for a winning team. Arsenal should be that team.

Arsenal fans don't expect trophies every year but we at least expect the team, board and manager to try their very best.

Fortunately, I sincerely believe Arsene Wenger is a winner and that UEFA Cup football next season would be like a kick in the stomach to him. No chairman should tell his manager that a club such as Arsenal underachieving is OK.

People may argue that Wenger doesn't have money to spend in the transfer window.

Yes, we don't have the budget that Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, or obviously Manchester City have, but surely if Hull, Aston Villa and Tottenham can bring in reinforcements so can we?

This season is far from over and a good run of form for Arsenal can see the club move back up the table.

Chelsea and Liverpool play in a crucial match on Sunday. Should Arsenal collect all three points at home to West Ham, the Gunners will move closer to one or both of these teams as they drop points.

Peter Hill-Wood may be correct in saying that Manchester United look too far ahead at the moment and show no signs of slipping up but why is he talking as if our season is over when there is half of it left?

The Arsenal chairman may have consigned us to the UEFA Cup but I haven't and I certainly hope the players and manager haven't.

So in future Mr.Hill-Wood, if you haven't got anything nice or positive to say about your club, then keep it zipped.