To preface this blog I am currently watch an interesting documentary about God vs. Satan on the History Channel. You know, good vs. evil. In times of despair, I find great comfort in having the Arsenal matches on the weekend with some sprinkled mid-week throughout the year. Maybe you're unemployed and had a terrible week of trying to find work; maybe you are working but had to work a double; maybe that child of yours won't let you sleep! In any case, if you can get away for 90 min a little, terrestrial delight of Arsenal football can make the day a little bit more bearable. I feel blessed that those of us who are Arsenal supporters have been gifted with the cognitive awareness to support such a grand club who play the game we cherish and love. The club is good, and so are its supporters.
This week the Arsenal had their annual general meeting, and on the day Arsene turned 60! Quite the feat to have had his last 13 years at Arsenal but also for him to ride out his "younger" years without much negative affect. Nothing major was reported but I found the following Wenger quote to be quite interesting:
“We are in the middle today of two different ways to see the development of the game,” he explained.
“One is people with unlimited resources who do not care about balancing the budget and one, an attempt from the European Union to regulate that, control it, and get that out of the game.
“I believe that will happen and fortunately we are on line with the modern development of the European game and that is why I believe to keep a club strong is essential.”
“One is people with unlimited resources who do not care about balancing the budget and one, an attempt from the European Union to regulate that, control it, and get that out of the game.
“I believe that will happen and fortunately we are on line with the modern development of the European game and that is why I believe to keep a club strong is essential.”
So for some of today's big spenders, and based off of Wenger's words, we may see the end of the billionaire takeover sooner than expected. The world has changed since the economic collapse affected most nations across the globe, reaching from America to Asia and back again. It should be obvious and expected that such major change would also affect football. Heavily indebted clubs will need to address and balance their budget and while they attempt to do this slowly, over the course of several years, Arsenal will already be ahead of the curve due to Wenger's foresight.
Eventually, and sooner than they'd like, Chelsea will need to get new players. New, younger players will cost money and if the EU cranks down on the debt as hypothesized they will have no choice but to rely on their youth system feeding their 1st team. Abramovich won't have the power to just buy whomever he wants without first addressing the club's massive debt. Now, I know he could just wave his fairy's wand and debt-be-gone but he is a businessman and won't do that in one fell swoop. If he does he may look to sell as he'll have far too much going out (to debt, including operations, salaries, etc.) than coming in...it's sad times over at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea is really going to be in trouble soon, very soon.
One need not look too far to see other indebted (nearly wrote massive but City is nothing) clubs operating well beyond their means, and similarly taken over at huge costs to the club (IOU, City, LFC) Most of the big spenders are top 4 contenders who have spent and spent and spent without addressing their debt. Shame on the FA for promoting the Premiership as the world's greatest league at the expensive of its core. Anyway, amusingly, Scouse Nation, Spuds, and Chavs have all failed to gain the loans necessary to increase their ticket income via a new stadium. How else are they going to get the money fast and consistently? Sponsorships? Trophy money? Sponsors do pay a lot so we may see some of these clubs peppered with ads on their kits in the future as la Mexican League. But in reality, it's not enough. And as much as the cash prize is for winning trophies it's not enough to even dent some of the massive debts they've taken on. So maybe their youth can compete at the top level? Right, what youth? When was the last time you heard of any up and coming player coming out of these camps in the ilk of Wilshere, and Gibbs? I remember that Macheda kid who scored for IOU; Kakuta, Chelsea's lame and squandered attempt at getting youth. I can't think of any youthful LFC or City players...but I'm sure they have some but aren't quite Premiership quality. These indebted clubs don't have a way out of their predicament except the slow and painful paying back of their debt at the expensive of their leagues position. Again, if AW is right, and come on, who is going to argue with the professor, we could see Arsenal in prime position to reap the rewards of sustainability, both financially and in sport.
It is my belief that it is the End of Days for many but not for the Arsenal. We are witnessing the battle of Good vs. Evil - sustainability vs. excessive, irresponsible spending. In due time, those who have been able to spend willy nilly will be judged and will have to pay back their debts. Albeit slow or fast it will need to be done and that will in turn impact the club's ability to scout and attain top-quality talent. As for the Arsenal, AW will continue to get young, top talent and ween them through the club nurturing their potential to yield the fruition of silverware. It's worth mentioning that these young, malleable minds are likely naive and happy to be playing football...and getting paid for it. I don't believe the English 50% tax affects their psyche quite like it does an older footballer, which is a huge advantage to the Arsenal as we see so many young players at 19,20, 21 playing first-team football. As it is assumed, players peak around 28 and by then these players will have been playing top football for AFC for nearly 8 years, and it can be argued that it is fair to let them leave after this much time and commitment. In addition, Arsenal can still turn a profit on these sales. Now, losing players such as Hleb and Flamini, which really hurt us in season's passed, can be seen as examples to the youth that it is fatal to your career to leave the Emirates before you've matured fully under Arsene Wenger. A warning sign that a career's end can be nearer than you think; realize that what you have is good and choose honor over greed.
But for now, we live in the present and the war wages on. I believe Arsenal is approaching the pinnacle of its existence while its closest rivals are on a fatal decline. It's only a matter of time before the pendulum swings in AFC's favor and Elysium be ours. Keep the faith, be patient because soon the Champions return!
ArsenaLOS
Eventually, and sooner than they'd like, Chelsea will need to get new players. New, younger players will cost money and if the EU cranks down on the debt as hypothesized they will have no choice but to rely on their youth system feeding their 1st team. Abramovich won't have the power to just buy whomever he wants without first addressing the club's massive debt. Now, I know he could just wave his fairy's wand and debt-be-gone but he is a businessman and won't do that in one fell swoop. If he does he may look to sell as he'll have far too much going out (to debt, including operations, salaries, etc.) than coming in...it's sad times over at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea is really going to be in trouble soon, very soon.
One need not look too far to see other indebted (nearly wrote massive but City is nothing) clubs operating well beyond their means, and similarly taken over at huge costs to the club (IOU, City, LFC) Most of the big spenders are top 4 contenders who have spent and spent and spent without addressing their debt. Shame on the FA for promoting the Premiership as the world's greatest league at the expensive of its core. Anyway, amusingly, Scouse Nation, Spuds, and Chavs have all failed to gain the loans necessary to increase their ticket income via a new stadium. How else are they going to get the money fast and consistently? Sponsorships? Trophy money? Sponsors do pay a lot so we may see some of these clubs peppered with ads on their kits in the future as la Mexican League. But in reality, it's not enough. And as much as the cash prize is for winning trophies it's not enough to even dent some of the massive debts they've taken on. So maybe their youth can compete at the top level? Right, what youth? When was the last time you heard of any up and coming player coming out of these camps in the ilk of Wilshere, and Gibbs? I remember that Macheda kid who scored for IOU; Kakuta, Chelsea's lame and squandered attempt at getting youth. I can't think of any youthful LFC or City players...but I'm sure they have some but aren't quite Premiership quality. These indebted clubs don't have a way out of their predicament except the slow and painful paying back of their debt at the expensive of their leagues position. Again, if AW is right, and come on, who is going to argue with the professor, we could see Arsenal in prime position to reap the rewards of sustainability, both financially and in sport.
It is my belief that it is the End of Days for many but not for the Arsenal. We are witnessing the battle of Good vs. Evil - sustainability vs. excessive, irresponsible spending. In due time, those who have been able to spend willy nilly will be judged and will have to pay back their debts. Albeit slow or fast it will need to be done and that will in turn impact the club's ability to scout and attain top-quality talent. As for the Arsenal, AW will continue to get young, top talent and ween them through the club nurturing their potential to yield the fruition of silverware. It's worth mentioning that these young, malleable minds are likely naive and happy to be playing football...and getting paid for it. I don't believe the English 50% tax affects their psyche quite like it does an older footballer, which is a huge advantage to the Arsenal as we see so many young players at 19,20, 21 playing first-team football. As it is assumed, players peak around 28 and by then these players will have been playing top football for AFC for nearly 8 years, and it can be argued that it is fair to let them leave after this much time and commitment. In addition, Arsenal can still turn a profit on these sales. Now, losing players such as Hleb and Flamini, which really hurt us in season's passed, can be seen as examples to the youth that it is fatal to your career to leave the Emirates before you've matured fully under Arsene Wenger. A warning sign that a career's end can be nearer than you think; realize that what you have is good and choose honor over greed.
But for now, we live in the present and the war wages on. I believe Arsenal is approaching the pinnacle of its existence while its closest rivals are on a fatal decline. It's only a matter of time before the pendulum swings in AFC's favor and Elysium be ours. Keep the faith, be patient because soon the Champions return!
ArsenaLOS
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no doubt that when these financial regulations do come in place, we would rule.
ReplyDeleteBut do u think that they will come? I mean look at Chelsea, they've been doing this for 5-6 years, the only punishment they got is cuz they tapped on a 13 yr old (or something along those lines).
Madrid apparentaly can do what ever they want and not get punished, tapping up players, taking out huge loans from banks to buy players. Didnt they sell their training ground a few years back to settle some debts?
The point i'm trying to make is, the big boys will always be big and they will always play with different rules.
Oh and another thing, we didnt suffer when Hleb left, true he just starting playing the way we all wanted him to, but hey we got Nasri to replace him. He scored 2 vs IOU at home, hey thats gotta count for something :P
I hear what you are saying about the Big spenders remaining but eventually they will have to pay those debts down. For every payment going to the banks versus into their pocket their club suffers. Time will tell as well as EU legislation on the matter...
ReplyDelete