Arsenals wage structure

[Johnny]

Is now exploding in their face.Hleb,Adabayour and Flamini all leaving/left for bigger wages.Wengers gonna have to pull another few gems out of the bag.Arsenal are now becoming a selling club.

[Vermilion]

Wenger the other day already having admitted that Arsenal have to become a 'selling club' in order to pay the interest on the stadium build. Worrying.

[Imy]

Wenger already having admitted that Arsenal have to become a 'selling club' in order to pay the interest on the stadium build. Worrying.

Worrying for them but good for us

However what is worrying is IF/when our new stadium is built we too will be in the same shoes, hopefully our youngsters will step up to the plate because i can't see G&H allowing Rafa to make many marquee signings in the future.

[Sadgeek]

Wenger the other day already having admitted that Arsenal have to become a 'selling club' in order to pay the interest on the stadium build. Worrying.

Would anyone consider that this is exactly what would happen to us if our new stadium goes ahead?

Yes we need more seats, but unlike Scum, I think we've missed the boat. The financial situation around the world means that you have to be damned sure that you are going to recoup the cost very quickly, otherwise the interest payments will kill you.

Much as it pains me to say it, I suspect we would be better off staying at Anfield for the time being, until the markets stabilise/improve or we don't need any (or very little) debt to build it

[Vermilion]

Worrying for them but good for us

However what is worrying is IF/when our new stadium is built we too will be in the same shoes, hopefully our youngsters will step up to the plate because i can't see G&H allowing Rafa to make many marquee signings in the future.

Good for us short term, terrifying for us long term. Could be why Rafa is snapping up so many young players with potential, preparing for the belt to be tightened, my biggest concern is how our 'custodians' handle our debt, & how much they are prepared to take on & on what terms, the interest i fear will be horrendous.

[Vermilion]

Would anyone consider that this is exactly what would happen to us if our new stadium goes ahead?

Yes we need more seats, but unlike Scum, I think we've missed the boat. The financial situation around the world means that you have to be damned sure that you are going to recoup the cost very quickly, otherwise the interest payments will kill you.

Much as it pains me to say it, I suspect we would be better off staying at Anfield for the time being, until the markets stabilise/improve or we don't need any (or very little) debt to build it

Yes i know where your coming from, wait for the stadium & concentrate on matters football for now, but who's to say thing's will get better, cost of building go's up the longer we wait etc, so many considerations.

Which brings us back to the Old Chestnut of having Dic waiting in the wings, ready to do things in a way that is sustainable.imo. What a mess.

[-V-]

Regardless, you have to admire Arsenal for their Business Model under Wenger. Greedy footballers aren't getting what they want and thats the way it should be. Today's players are getting payed ridiculous sums of money and Wenger refuses to pay it so good for him. They also try not to pay big sums of money for players. Like Wenger say's, "he makes stars rather than buying stars".

Don't get me wrong i don't agree with their ticket prices but thats what football has become if you want to compete

[dww]

What I think is interesting is that they have in the past paid big wages to Bergkamp, Henry and Vieira but currently don't seem to want to for the likes of Adebayor and Hleb. Not sure if that is about how much Wenger rates their ability to improve or a different financial climate at the club.

The model they seem to be working to with having to keep costs down in the short to medium term seems a big risk. What happens if Wenger leaves?

I think this season to compete they will require players to show the sort of improvement that Flamini did last year as well as potentially having to buy well to replace Hleb/Adebayor. I've said before I think this season/transfer window represents a big opportunity for us and I still think that is true - but at the same time all the other teams have the time and probably money to change the way that looks before the season starts.

[Woobus]

Wonder what would happen to them if they missed the Champions League for a couple of seasons. Its a real danger if they sell of their top players, they were pretty close to missing out there for 2 seasons.

[-V-]

What I think is interesting is that they have in the past paid big wages to Bergkamp, Henry and Vieira but currently don't seem to want to for the likes of Adebayor and Hleb. Not sure if that is about how much Wenger rates their ability to improve or a different financial climate at the club.

Yeah but you have to bear in mind that the 'big' wages of 5-6 years ago were £50-65k per week. Todays big players are demanding £100k upwards each week which is beyond obscene. Everything has a limit and we cannot compare todays football world to 5-6 years ago. Its gone way too far and Wenger and Arsenal are right to put a stop to it

[dww]

Henry was on £100k+ though I think. Adebayor has come out and said that he is thought of as a worthy replacement on the pitch but not in terms of wages - which I think is fair. I see what you are saying re: wage inflation to a degree but at the same time I think to expect a manager to perpetually sell players when they get to be a top level player is asking a huge amount long term. Obviously a compromise has to be made but if they were to loose 3 top first team players in a season which they might then they will IMO have to consider a re-think.

[NicoBernetini]

Henry has been, is and always will be twice the player Adebayor is.
Adebayor is nothing, he had a good season, but he isn't much better than Crouchie, he is good in the air thats about it.

[Johnny]

Not only is Wengers policy on wages stripping Arsenil of their best players now,it will also hinder him in trying to bring great players to the Emirates.
That said,I can also see that it is a sensible policy if Arsenil are to avoid bankruptcy.
It does beg the question,How long can ManU and Chels sustain their wage structures before Fifa or Uefa reign them in or their owners(In the case on ManU) can no longer afford such losses and have to resell the club or do a Leeds.

[El Jefecito]

Wenger the other day already having admitted that Arsenal have to become a 'selling club' in order to pay the interest on the stadium build. Worrying.

I saw that too. I'm sceptical though. Additional revenue through increased attendance, more corporate boxes, sales of the flats on the old highbury footprint and naming rights would more than cover the loan.

Smells like mind games to me.

[EwarWoo]

Regardless, you have to admire Arsenal for their Business Model under Wenger. Greedy footballers aren't getting what they want and thats the way it should be. Today's players are getting payed ridiculous sums of money and Wenger refuses to pay it so good for him. They also try not to pay big sums of money for players. Like Wenger say's, "he makes stars rather than buying stars".

Don't get me wrong i don't agree with their ticket prices but thats what football has become if you want to compete

If all manager's took Wenger's stance it would be a much better game. He's a toss for some things but anyone who loves football as to admire him for that. He's the antithesis of the modern money greedy me me me game.

Unfortunately he's now losing a lot of players over it which is why it's maybe not the best idea, but we'll see what they do next year with their next crop of youngsters. May be early to judge

Also, re ticket prices, have to bear in mind it's London. If you want a beer you'll be paying twice the price so makes sense tickets are too.

I saw that too. I'm sceptical though. Additional revenue through increased attendance, more corporate boxes, sales of the flats on the old highbury footprint and naming rights would more than cover the loan.

Smells like mind games to me.

I seem to remember the financial reports from last year showing Arsenal are now the most profitable PL club by a fair way. They've gotta be paying the loan off hand over fist with the amount they're making and actually getting income from transfers too.

My suspicion is they're just wanting to make sure they stay top 4 whilst playing attractive football to keep the income streams active, and within those limits anything is acceptable to dump the debt ASAP.

Imagine being the most profitable club with no debt? How big a coffer will Wenger have then?