Wenger's Transfer Policy

With the end of the season just weeks away, now is the time when managers begin to look at new signings. With another unsuccessful year at Arsenal most fans are urging Wenger to buy a couple of big names to hopefully make that difference between coming close and actually winning something. Lee Dixon, like other football pundits have said Arsenal are just two or three players away from being the team to beat. The big question is 'Will Wenger buy world class players in the summer?'

The Gunners have now spent 5 years at the Emirates with the construction costs dramatically decreased. This, therefore is not an excuse to avoid adding to the squad as the club only has to find £20 million a year to keep on top of payments. For one of the World's richest clubs that amount of money isn't hard to find. Stan Kroenke, the new owner has wealth of over $2billion so 0.02billion is not going to affect the bank balance that much. If however the funding has to come from elsewhere then there's the stadium revenue itself. Here are some facts about revenue gained from the home of Arsenal. To even get the privelege to be able to buy tickets you need a membership card which is £27 a year. Once you have that you can go to matches. An adult ticket for a game at the Emirates costs between £34 and £96 or how about a season ticket; ranging from £925-£1825. That's not all club level tickets are £2500-£4750, boxes start at £65,000 and then finally the diamond club (by invitation only) will set you back £50,000. The 150 boxes alone account for over £10million every year and with no turnstile staff, the Emirates makes a huge amount every time it is used. That is only ticket sales for Arsenal games. There are additional events like Brazil matches and the naming rights for the stadium and shirt sponsor is worth £100million.

With debt not being an issue then, why doesn't Wenger use cheque book? A large part of it comes down to his philosophy in bringing youngsters through the academy to play the Arsenal way instead of teaching an older player how to play his way. And his methods work. You only have to look at Wilshere as a prime example of the youth system in place. Jack joined Arsenal in 2001 and after 10 years of training has a brilliant technical ability and is the young player of the year. A famous quote from Wenger is "We do not buy superstars, we make them." Had he not said that there would be no Jack Wilshere, there would be no Szczesny and there would be no Theo Walcott. So his policy does have some benefits. But regardless of that world class players are also needed.

How much do Arsenal miss a Vieira like player?

The squad is in desperate need of a commanding centre back along with Vermaelen, a Vieira like player in midfield and a decent striker to partner Van Persie. These three positions could cost £40 million depending on who it is, which is available as Kroenke has already said this so we are back at the main question. For arguments sake lets say Cahill, Adebayor and Essien were bought in the summer. With those additions almost all fans would expect a trophy next season and preferably not the Carling Cup. This then puts pressure on the new signings and Wenger as he doesn't want to disappoint. If they don't settle in quickly then people would start questioning him. This is why Wenger was quoted saying he would accept 2nd for the next 20 years. If signings were made from overseas clubs then they would have to get used to the pace of the league first then learn how to play the Arsenal way which isn't something learnt overnight. That's why Wenger is conservative over new signings as they need to have the technical ability to play the way we do and that is the problem.

This young squad has achieved many good things. Carling Cup final appearances in 2007 and 2011, regular top 4 finishes, and good runs in the Champions League and FA cup. Wenger knows with just a bit more they can win something and he feels this something will come from the current players, not new signings.  Hopefully though Arsene may change but it's unlikely. If he does look for youth, there's Ramsey who played fantastically against United, Frimpong who is a great work horse, Bartley who has impressed while at Rangers and maybe even Chamakh could be given another chance. 

Thanks for reading...All comments are appreciated.

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