Quote Originally Posted by LDG View Post
No we didn't. And I haven't disputed that. On the outset, the stadium move was to compete with the best. We could have stayed top four based on the climate then. But as I keep saying, the playing field changed, and in hindsight, we have done well to stay top four, as opposed to competing with Utd, Barca, Real, which was the original plan. Throw in Oil money, massive debt servicing, and huge wage inflation because of that, and you can see how our structured finances came under pressure, as we were tied into deals. If you can't see that, then you're deluded.

Can't you see, that once we were into the build, we were constrained financially?? Yes we still had money, but we couldn't go out and match the spending of the big boys first and foremost, and then as time wore on, it was clear that other clubs hovering below us, could actually (for a time) outspend us. That's why Liverpool bid 50m for Carrol. That's why Spurs under Redknapp were throwing the kitchen sink at ECL qualification.

Luckily, we had a manager that could steer us above that. And as we have already stated, if he wasn't so stubborn, such a gambler, we could have done even more!

If we were still at Highbury now, our revenue would be severely curtailed. We would be on a par with spending to a team like Everton. Same size stadium etc etc.

I don't understand why it is so hard to credit Wenger with what has been a significant part of our history.

As I keep saying. Why are Spurs and Liverpool trying to do the same, if it wasn't necessary. We have proved it was, so the whole Highbury thing is a moo cow point anyway.
The stadium move was a good thing but I have a problem with anyone saying we needed it to stay Top 4. Sounds like we’re on the same page with that one, so that can be skipped.

The teams below us catching up to us….I just don’t think they were ever good enough at the time. Wenger is a much better manager than the guys managing the lower teams and we had better players regardless of price tags. I guess you can call that credit. But if he’d ever finish below Harry, Moyes, AVB…I’d see that as more of an underachievement on our end. Like a great upset. Like Tyson losing to Buster Douglas and the story that follows is how off our game we were rather than our foes being that good and equal. This season and last season are different and now I think we’ll truly be tested for the Top 4 spot because there are 5 genuine teams that can really push for spots. Years before, there were only ever 3 consistent top teams or 4 at most.

Also, the financial constraints…honestly, I don’t think Wenger used his resources wisely. This season and last are an example of that.