Article on Arsenal Finances.

What is it you struggle to comprehend?

that someone can agree that after years of price freezes, the club had no choice but to raise prices in line with inflation and the vat increase?

that someone can see through the usual tabloid twaddle about our season tickets being the highest in the country and realise only we include 7 cup games in ours, so they are comparing 26 game tickets to 19 game tickets?

that someone can see through the tabloid twaddle about our cheapest matchday tickets being higher, and realise 1) we are in london, the most expensive city in the world and 2) we have no reduced view seats, unlike most other stadia?

or perhaps that we have just 3 years until all our major deals bar the stadium name are up for grabs, and are guaranteed, even if we were to fall out of the top 4, to be worth at least double what they currently are, and in terms of the shirt sponsorship is likely to be 4 times higher?

You can choose to focus on the negatives if you wish, that is your perogative, Just as it's mine not to.

Chelsea and Tottenham are also both in the "most expensive city in the world" (no it's not) and their supporters do not have to pay as much as we do to watch and underperforming team.
This isn't being negative, it's taking a problem-solving approach which is positive - and it's hard to look at the team right now and our performances and general mood and deny there is a problem.

Chelsea and Tottenham are also both in the "most expensive city in the world" (no it's not) and their supporters do not have to pay as much as we do to watch and underperforming team.
This isn't being negative, it's taking a problem-solving approach which is positive - and it's hard to look at the team right now and our performances and general mood and deny there is a problem.
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but as stated, when you actually compare like for like instead of looking at the prices quoted by the tabloids, there is very little difference in price. yes, our season tickets are higher, but they are for 26 games not 19. yes, our cheapest matchday tickets are more, but again, we have no limited view seats (which are sold cheaper) as both chelsea and spurs do.

plus, obviously it goes without saying that we have far better facilities than either of them.

Personally, I don't give a monkeys about fancy seats or maybe a pillar blocking a few seats' view of a corner - all I care about is watching an exciting team on the pitch, that team being Arsenal and not whoever they are playing.

These are the conclusions of the article, for those that can't read them:

21. What could Arsenal do to improve their finances?
Bearing in mind Peter Hill-Wood’s assertion that “strong financial performance is not an end in itself, but creates the platform from which the club can build and sustain the on-field success which is always the main objective”, there are a few actions that Arsenal could take:
a. Renegotiate the main sponsorship deals. Although these are only due for renewal in 2014, there must be some mileage in trying to negotiate an increase now in return for guaranteed renewal. Obviously, Arsenal’s ability to maximise value would be stronger if the team is winning trophies.
b. Review the wages structure to make it easier to attract world-class stars.
c. Offload under-achieving players, even if they are sold cheaply or given away, in order to have some room to manoeuvre in the wage bill.
d. Buy quality in January. This could boost the team’s performance in the second half of the season, as happened with Liverpool last season, and ensure that the likes of Van Persie don’t jump ship.
e. Rebuild the famous scouting network. It seems like ages since they beat other clubs to the best talent worldwide.
f. Kroenke could loan the club funds to fill the hole until the commercial machine starts buzzing. He might even pay off the outstanding debt to remove the interest burden.
g. Consider a rights issue. Although an expensive (and unlikely) option, this would also raise money and might even extend the fans’ ownership scheme.
h. Inject some new blood onto the board. Former director Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith suggested that the current directors should be replaced by a more “dynamic, pro-active, younger board”, while Usmanov accused the board of lacking ambition.
i. Review the training and medical practices. Arsenal’s lengthy injury list, including crucial players like jack Wilshere and Thomas Vermaelen, has severely damaged their prospects for a few seasons. There surely must be more to it than simple misfortune.
Obviously, it’s not all doom and gloom at Arsenal. They have a fabulous stadium, a renowned academy, a great manager and a few top quality players. However, it does feel as if the club is at a crossroads and the decisions they take over the next few months could be very important for Arsenal’s future, both on and off the pitch.

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The club seem very dependant on selling property and selling players to turn a profit.

However, your finances are still streets ahead of most (probably 2nd to Utd) in EPL

True, devonshire, and thanks for reminding us of that.
HOWEVER many of the recommendations hit the right note to dispel the gloom many supporters feel.

Has anyone in this thread actually read the article? At least two of you clearly haven't, and you're still shouting down others with your inaccurate opinions on the article and it's content whilst asking questions that are answered in the article. Ridiculous.

Oh, good link Real_Aus_Gooner, thanks. Interesting stuff.