As with many AGM’s at the Emirates in recent years, the mantra coming from those in charge is that all will be well in the coming years. When Financial Fair Play begins to have an impact on the top European clubs then Arsenal’s guns will fire with full power. Their youth system, new stadium and solid wage structure will give them the edge needed.
Maybe.
The problem with preparing for the future, just like in Doomsday Preppers, is that it can be at the detriment to the here and now. Sometimes catastrophically. There is talk of Arsenal being able to secure extra finance through improved sponsorships in two years time. Two years!? What if Arsenal continue to suffer through a lack of success and in two years the unthinkable finally happens and Arsenal miss out on Champions League football? Statistically speaking it looks unlikely, but how many Gooners would feel they will finish above Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City, Spurs and/or Everton right now? They may well do, but it is far from guaranteed. Interestingly one of the best things that has happened to Arsenal in recent years is the implosion up at Anfield which effectively eliminated one of their Champions League rivals.
Manchester Utd lead the way in terms of global and commercial sponsorship. Not for them the worry of securing better deals in two years time. Their philosophy in this arena is simple; the best teams get the best sponsorships. Success breads money. Win the dam league first, then consolidate the financial position after. Spend to accumulate. Whatever you want to call it, Manchester United clearly worry first and foremost about how their team will win the league. This year they signaled that intention by buying RVP. Yes he was getting on a bit, but he is a top quality footballer that could help bring success to Man Utd TODAY.
The other main problem in planning for future events is the obvious problem of not knowing the future. The Doomsday Preppers are sacrificing the current lives for something they have no real idea will happen when. In terms of FFP no one is quite sure what its impacts will be, but you can be certain it won’t quite function as we think it will. And then there will always be those clever enough to work their way around the system (look at astronomical ground sponsorships at the Ethiad…). So Arsenal could well be making their current situation worse and end up no more informed in relation to future events.
I wonder how long Arsenal fans will put up with owners who are happy to make large profits, take home millions of pounds in salary a year, sanction the sale of their best players, rely on Wenger to produce gold dust from the academy to keep them in the top and treat them with contempt at the AGM (see Mr Peter Hillwood’s dismissive response to fans concerns this year)?
Fans do not follow football clubs for their balance sheets, they follow them for many reasons but not their prudent financial capabilities.
Arsenal are a great historic club, clearly one of the biggest in England and very well placed for the long term. I just wish they would also place themselves well for the short term too – for when Arsenal were at the height of their powers there was no finer sight in European football, something every football fan could truly admire and enjoy.
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