Arsene Wenger: 'Arsenal's 600 employees need paying'

21 August 2016 06:19

The mystery of Arsenal's transfer and spending philosophy was finally shared with millions of watching football fans after their entertaining 0-0 draw with current Premiership champions Leicester City.

Arsene Wenger was interviewed on BT Sport after the game and when he was questioned about spending money he replied "what is important is that when you have a club with 600 employees you make sure you can pay everybody at the end of the month."

I think even the BT Sport reporter was a bit taken aback by the Arsenal manager's comments. The bottom line is that most of these "employers" would be classed as matchday staff and then balance this against the fact that Arsenal are enjoying a share of a bumper TV rights deal which is reported to be in excess of £10Bn over the next 3 years (not including their Champions League or sponsorship revenue) his comments have come as a shock to many Gunners fans. There was an instant reaction on Twitter with comments such as "You have to be joking he [Arsene] is on £8m a year, or "so we can't buy a £50M striker cos [sic] Sandra in the canteen is on £10 per hour?". You get the gist.

There is a tangible and growing frustration being aired by Arsenal fans. With Usmanov still waiting, and being blocked in the wings, now reportedly interested in investing in Everton, the prognosis for Arsenal fans is not too optimistic.

The fact is Arsenal are one of the richest Premier League clubs. They have huge cash reserves. Their season tickets are amongst, if not the most expensive in the whole of Europe. They told their fans that the move to the Emirates would see the club be able to compete with the biggest clubs in Europe. 10 years since leaving their beloved Highbury, many Arsenal fans are asking themselves where have these promises gone?

Where do you stand on Wenger?

Source: DSG