The Arsenal Rulebook:

i personally think they'd be far more likely to hang around for champion's league football.

---------------

But Victor, they didn't. I'm not saying that the likes of Nasri, Toure, Adebayor or Fagregas would have stayed if you'd won a cup, but you were in the CL and they all still left. I appreciate the Fabregas/Barca thing was different and he would have left regardless.

But Victor, they didn't. I'm not saying that the likes of Nasri, Toure, Adebayor or Fagregas would have stayed if you'd won a cup, but you were in the CL and they all still left. I appreciate the Fabregas/Barca thing was different and he would have left regardless.
_______________________________

You also have to take into consideration that we've had to sell these past seasons. Stadiums don't get built for free. I think Wenger said at one stage that we had to bring in 25 million from player sales. Hopefully we're now at the stage where that isn't the issue.

Okay then here's a question, (please answer it as honestly and dispassionately as possible).

Both Arsenal and Liverpool's midfield could use a little more creativity next season if either club is to push on in the league.

If this season finishes with Arsenal san-trophy but boasting Champion's League football, whilst Liverpool finish with one, possibly two cups and Europa League football, which of the two clubs is a) best placed financially to move for players that will improve their respective first XIs and b) seem the more attractive proposition to prospective signings?

*The answer you're looking for here being Arsenal of course.

"If this season finishes with Arsenal san-trophy but boasting Champion's League football, whilst Liverpool finish with one, possibly two cups and Europa League football, which of the two clubs is a) best placed financially to move for players that will improve their respective first XIs and b) seem the more attractive proposition to prospective signings?"

I can't answer a) because I don't really know anything about Liverpool's finances. I don't know if they're turning over a healthy profit or if their owner is dipping into his pocket to pay the big fees. I think though if there was a player out there available for £30m say we could both afford him, whether we'd both go for him is another matter but we could.

As for b) I think most players would prefer Champions League football but some of them might be big Beatles fans or something. It's hard to say.

Lex, we're both attractive prospects for players so this is tough one to answer.

It all depends on what the prospective signing wants. If he is adamant that he only wants CL football then he'll go to Arsenal. On the other hand he may look at Liverpool and see that as part of the rebuilding project we've already won 2 cups and have made progress in the right direction. Or he'll go to the club who can offer him most money, if he's that sort of player. And financially I think we're in a better position than you. You're a more sustainable model, but we're practically debt free and offer higher wages.

How's this season going for the Clarets?
________

A bit stop-starty. We'll have a couple of good results followed by some massively frustrating ones.

But, we're keep ourselves around 8/9th within a win or two of the playoffs, so with a good run and a bit of luck we might sneak in there, fingers crossed.

Wierdly this thread has had many responses and turned into a good debate.

I knew that when I wrote it.

"....turned into a good debate."

Took a long time though, right up until the last page I think many contributors appeared to be not actually reading responses before going off on a rant.

FJM - I sort of agree, Liverpool's success in the 80s and 90s helps because foreign players grew up knowing Liverpool as one of the best European teams.

However, the champions league football on offer and the chance to work with Wenger definitely help for a young prospect - e.g. Ramsey choosing Arsenal over Utd despite his hero Giggs being at Utd.