Apparently we've got loads of money to spend

[Joker]

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/leag...2006-2011.html

We've been outspent by 25 other clubs in England alone over the last 5 years, including the likes of Wolves, Swansea, Hull and Blackpool. While charging the highest amount for tickets...

So let's stop with the 'oh noes we're broke and we can't afford to spend on quality or else we'll go bankrupt' stuff.

This is a good strategy for a purely private enterprise, especially an enterprise facing relatively inelastic demand (i.e. an increase in prices doesn't lead to a significant drop in ticket sales). However, for a football club that is supposed to be embedded within its community and serves a wider social objective, the way the board have shafted us over the last 6-7 years is nothing short of a disgrace. While they line their pockets with gold by increasing the value of their shares and profiteering from property sales, the fans are left to pick up the tab.

[Kano]

given the chance i'd do the same, easy money

[Darth Vela]

http://www.transferleague.co.uk/leag...2006-2011.html

We've been outspent by 25 other clubs in England alone over the last 5 years, including the likes of Wolves, Swansea, Hull and Blackpool. While charging the highest amount for tickets...

So let's stop with the 'oh noes we're broke and we can't afford to spend on quality or else we'll go bankrupt' stuff.

Funny, in that link I counted 8 teams with higher gross and 18 with higher nett. Close enough I guess.

[Darth Vela]

This is a good strategy for a purely private enterprise, especially an enterprise facing relatively inelastic demand (i.e. an increase in prices doesn't lead to a significant drop in ticket sales). However, for a football club that is supposed to be embedded within its community and serves a wider social objective, the way the board have shafted us over the last 6-7 years is nothing short of a disgrace. While they line their pockets with gold by increasing the value of their shares and profiteering from property sales, the fans are left to pick up the tab.

Yeah, not like we have a large mortgage to pay off as well so it's difficult to see where else the money could be going.

[Boss]

Funny, in that link I counted 8 teams with higher gross and 18 with higher nett. Close enough I guess.

18 currently in the PL + 7 that have since been relegated.

[Darth Vela]

18 currently in the PL + 7 that have since been relegated.

So it is, turns out I'm unable to read.

[Fist of Lehmann]

I'm becoming convinced that it's not a lack of funds which informs our transfer policy, but the wage structure.

We could afford to pay Nasri the 83% pay rise he wants, £110k doesn't break the wage structure but the board may feel that it sets a dangerous precedent.

There are reasons why you don't negotiate with terrorists. It legitimises and rewards, and this encourages further acts of terrorism. The last thing the board want to encourage is a squad full of wage terrorists who demand 83% pay rises on half a good season.

Here's why I think that shit went down.

Prior to the Emirates move they took a conscious decision to spend on wages not transfer fees. On the face of it, it's a logical decision (if you have to choose). Comparing any transfer spend per league point vs wage spend per league point analysis would tell you this.

Hence Wenger's youth policy. Young players cost less in fees, and if we offered disproportionate wages we could be more attractive to the best ones.
And come 2010 and the Highbury Sq development was supposed to land us a projected windfall of £100m for the team. Post ecomonic downturn however, our windfall ends up as a 'modest' profit.

The problem now is, if you're trying to keep a lid on the wage bill, raising the floor also lowers the ceiling. With the entry level wages so high, there is less in the pot for the top tier earners. And the arrival of the mega-rich only highlights the fact that our best players could earn far more elsewhere.

This whole thing has given rise to the egalitarian skew of our wage bill, which in turn means we struggle to offload overpaid underperformers. To restructure (or 'fix' depending on your point of view) the wage bill now would require significant funds, because I doubt many in the squad would accept a pay cut (Eboue not included).

Wages are our main expenditure and the desire to keep a tight lid on it influences both our transfer policy and our re-negotiation of contracts. IMO.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Good post FoL.

Also,Emmanuel Eboue is the luckiest man on the planet.

[LDG]

Good post FoL.

Also,Emmanuel Eboue is the luckiest man on the planet.

Is there not a white Eboue then??

And also.

Top posting Fister.

[Elreactor]

There´s no need to worry. We´ve already got Gervinho. After all, mutd for example are quiet too, they only got De Gea and Young, Liverpool only Downing and Adam. We´re just 1 player behind

Keep it up arsene!!

PS: also Fabregas and Nasri will be our (like) new signings of the season, at least in spirit.