:haha:
He's everywhere. :bow:
Printable View
:haha:
He's everywhere. :bow:
http://www.premiershipticketsonline....e-Wenger-2.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by McNamara That Ghost...
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...hout-competingQuote:
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes his side can still compete for the Premier League title despite not being able to match the financial power of their rivals.
The Gunners are currently experiencing a seven year drought following the 2005 FA Cup final win over Manchester United. The north London club have not experienced league success since 2004, a triumph which signified Wenger's seventh major honour since he joined the club in 1997.
However, since 2004 the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City have benefited from huge foreign investment which has left the Frenchman's side struggling to compete. Nevertheless, the former Monaco coach believes that Arsenal can still battle for the title this season, and believes the club can be proud of the way it is run.
He told Time Out Hong Kong: "Firstly, I must say that not being able to match the spending of the richest clubs does not mean that you can't compete with them on the pitch.
"When I first came to England, this question did not exist. Every club was run within its resources.
"The Chelsea's and the Man City's are new problems. But with this new financial environment, what has not changed at all is our policy that we will be as ambitious as ever and spend the money that we have available, if possible in an intelligent and wise way.
"We have always spent money because we are ambitious for top-class players and if you look at the history of our last 15 years, we have always had top-class players.
"It does not mean you can't win the title if you can't compete financially.
"To spend the money on a top player is defendable. But just to spend the money is like you are worried.
"Our fans can be proud of the way we run this club, of the quality of the players we have and of the financial situation that is existing at the club.
"Rather than convicting this club, they have more reason to be proud of the whole situation here.
"We have built a team and a stadium in such a short space of time, and have a strong financial situation - and we have always survived at the top level."
The 62-year-old feels the introduction of Financial Fair Play rules may be pivotal in the club's future success, believing that if they are implemented thoroughy they will be well placed to benefit from the regulations.
He continued: "We need first to see how effectively Financial Fair Play can be enforced before we can fully understand the impact but I believe it will make for a more exciting Premier League."
"If the rules are well introduced, it will be a massive advantage to Arsenal Football Club, of course, and we will be well positioned for that.
"I don't want to go into excuses but you want a business to be run properly and I believe that to lose £150 million a year, you don't deserve a lot of credit to win a competition.
"I think that it is right that you balance your books - to accept the one basic principle for every company - and that's that you can spend the money which you make.
"That principle just seems to be a common sense and logical one.
"When you look at the history of England, there are Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Derby County who have all won championships.
"If that is possible again it will be even more interesting."
Yes we are so proud that we have shown no improvement in 7 years, that we have gone from title winners to what we are now.
Also no ones telling him to spend "£150m" :doh:
He really is clueless
I don't think he is saying that.
He is more having a dig at clubs like City and Chelsea who spend crazy money, resulting in heavy loses, to obtain success.
Of course he didn't say that, but let's not have that minor little detail get in the way of another Ach hissy fit.Quote:
Originally Posted by -Xs-
Does he actually have to say something literally for people to get what he means?
:doh:
I think some of those comments by Wenger suggests he very much is in tune with the board, and entirely comfortable treating the club as a private sector enterprise, with the main motivation to "balance the books" and run a steady ship. You never hear someone like Fergie put so much emphasis on the financial aspects of the football club. He's a football man, and he focuses on the football. While Wenger regularly looks to defend our problems on the pitch by referring to finance.Quote:
"I don't want to go into excuses but you want a business to be run properly and I believe that to lose £150 million a year, you don't deserve a lot of credit to win a competition.
"I think that it is right that you balance your books - to accept the one basic principle for every company - and that's that you can spend the money which you make.
He's saying we can compete on the pitch and don't have to compete financially with City and Chelsea. That's the key point and he's not making excuses. Fans shouldn't either and we should stop talking as if it's impossible to compete because of Chelsea and City.
Exactly, if Wenger truly believes this then it is right that we judge him based on whether we can compete properly with the top teams in the league. No more excuses about "running on sweat" or financial doping.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...is-still-vitalQuote:
Arsène Wenger remains resolute in his belief that Arsenal should be a self-sustaining football club.
Over the summer, the policy came under some scrutiny but the manager still believes that it is “vital” for the long-term security of the 126-year-old organisation. And he once again pledged his support to UEFA’s introduction of Financial Fair Play legislation.
“We always defend the values of the Club and the model has to be self-sustainable,” Wenger told Arsenal Player. “Otherwise it can completely go out of shape and become very fragile.
“The financial solidity of the Club is vital for me. I have always supported that and I will continue to do that.
“I believe that Financial Fair Play is all about that. If UEFA push it through they will have a big supporter in me. I believe that football has to work like every single company, it has to work with the money it produces itself.”
But, Wenger asserts, self-sustainability should not limit your aspirations.
“We have been in the Champions League for 15 years now and I believe that shows that our model works,” he said. “But, on the other hand we are very ambitious, we want as well to win trophies.
“It's not enough just to be in the Champions League and we are focused on that of course. We work very hard to make the team stronger.”
Interesting that he says a football club has to operate like a company, which is further evidence that his ideology is close to the boards'.