@ the OP

Do we need a sugar daddy to compete with the financially doped clubs going forward? No - provided that AFC maintains its current CL position, and chooses the right manager.

The reason why so many people are of this view is that we have, undoubtedly, had the quality of players to have won titles in the past 5 years - despite the likes of the Chavs; Manure; Citeh and even Spurs and Liverpool spunking far more than we have in the transfer market. It is the mentality that has been wrong, and not only might another manager have provided that mentality and addressed the obvious flaws in AW's regime, but he might have spent judisciously to address problem areas rather than gambling on 'proteges' delivering.

Going forwards, it is reasonable to believe that even with the relatively limited spending power that Arsenal has (compared to the teams listed above), an astute manager will be able to continue to compete - in the same way that AW has for the past 5 years, less perhaps some of his more inexplicable blind spots. We are a big club, in terms of revenue - and therefore almost uniquely equipped to compete with the doped clubs - particularly with teh Fair Play rules coming in.

Where we may find it a lot harder, though, is if AW continues down the route he is on and falls out of the CL places. Then we may find it difficult to attract the players needed to get back up there.