Ive been saying for a while that I think the board are to blame for the lack of investment, wage structure which is (by football standards) very low, restricting transfers, not negotiating transfers well, etc, etc. It looks like others may be starting to agree. When I was looking at the transfer news today I notioced Luke Freeman was sold and the fee not disclosed. This is the usual thing when we buy or sell and it made me think that Arsenal are shrouded in more secrecy than any other club. They never reveal what is going on which leads to accusations of Wenger not spending, the board not investing, etc but no one outside the club really knows the truth.
I'm not a big fan of Hill-Wood, but as Chairman it's right that he says that the club are not totally dependent on CL income. It's not the same as saying he's not bothered if we get CL football or not, that's people putting their own spin on it.
it's not the money, it's the prestige. the show that you are challenging for honours, and that you can offer top European competition to new players who might come in. Proof that you're up there with the best, and you are competitive. Qualifying for the Champions League offers van Persie another year in Europe, offers new players coming in top-level competition. Not qualifying because you didn't spend a few million in January shows a startling lack of foresight, and leads to players not wanting to come in because you aren't one of the top teams. It also leads to your best players wanting out because if you finish outside of the top 4, you're miles away from winning the league. It's not about money, it's about being competitive. And that right now, is something Arsenal are not.
But rival fans will keep telling you that you are. I think in the next 3-4 seasons it will be Utd, City and Chelsea who maintain top 4 status. For the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal I don't know what the future holds but I think you are the team most likely to get it more often. Spurs could still be up there but after this season they could lose some of their better players and maybe even 'Arry.
Why does it matter what rival fans think. And on the contrary I think we will improve in the future because of the amount of money we make, also Chelsea don't seem to understand anything about being sustainable so i'm not sure they will continue to be a force.
that's the theory!! hopefully, even if the club don't invest in January, the return of some super-fresh full-backs and a totally reseted Jack, if van Persie stays fit the team will improve for the second half of the season and steal that top4 spot
