Gazidis: Wenger In Charge of Spending

Following the release of Arsenal Holdings' mid year financial results-which you can download at this Link - Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis has reiterated that the cash the club generates is available to Arsene Wenger to strengthen his squad.

Speaking about the interim results, which again showed healthy figures- Gazidis denied that the board tighten the pursestrings. "I want to be clear that the money we generate is available to our manager, Arsène Wenger, and that he quite rightly makes the decisions regarding how to invest those funds based on his extensive football knowledge, experience and judgement.

"Over the years, his decisions and his management have propelled us to the top of the game in Europe (currently ranked 6th by UEFA) while playing some of the most attractive football in the world."

"We have faced criticism for sticking to our philosophy of living sustainably within our financial means rather than reaching out for a quick fix injection of money to solve all our supposed problems. But how much is enough to outspend others who have seemingly limitless means?

"We can and will forge our own path to success and avoid the many examples of clubs across Europe struggling for their very survival after chasing the dream and spending beyond their means.

"Football is moving powerfully in our direction. This season is the first in which UEFA`s Financial Fair Play ("FFP") regulations come into effect. These regulations have support from all the leading clubs in Europe and UEFA have assured clubs that the rules will be implemented rigorously.

"I believe there is already evidence of changing behaviour from many clubs and this is good for football."

It could be that Arsene is just very particular about what he spends (most likely). It could be that Arsenal have a strategy to hold back until FFP really kicks in and look to let loose just as belts are tightening elsewhere. (Kind of the reverse of Manchester City's strategy of playing FFP agressively). Or Stan could be fattening the club up like a christmas turkey and keeping cash reserves healthy so he can sell on for a tidy profit eventually. (Less likely, we were hardly huge spenders prior to the moustachioed one rocking up). Who knows, eh?

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