Catching up on Some Team News Items

By: Homey | November 13th, 2011

Well I enjoyed a nice little layoff over the last week and a half, or however long it’s been since I wrote something. I wasn’t out of town, but did have more real work to do than normal. Kudos to Darren for doing the heavy lifting over the last week.

Anyway, we’ve been treated to another round of mostly meaningless internationals in the last few days. The friendlies being played now are the most useless and annoying of all, with no purpose other than making money. It’s one thing to play a few friendlies before an international tournament or something, but these are just silly. Anyway, we’ve all beaten that dead horse many times, so no need to continue further. At least RvP has been released early to head back to London, and won’t be playing an additional match this week.

In terms of actual match reports, I won’t attempt to get to everything our players did, but I’ll instead just mention a few items of note. In one of the few games that counted, Rosicky contributed to the Czech victory over Montenegro with an assist on an injury time goal. The first goal was also quite excellent, if you haven’t caught a replay yet. Speaking of nice long-range goals, Wojo was beaten by a Balotelli strike in a friendly. Arguably, Wojo could have been in better position on it, but I certainly have to give credit to Balotelli too. Also, Park continued his excellent form for Korea in their win at UAE, scoring another goal there. I’d always heard that you don’t just waltz into the Al-Rashid Stadium and push around the home team, but maybe you can after all.

In semi-Arsenal news, our old friend Nick Bendtner scored again for Denmark in a friendly win over Sweden. He has recently reiterated his position that he’ll never play for Arsenal again. But no matter what you think of him, I think we have to root for him to do well, for business reasons. Since he’s still under contract with Arsenal, hopefully we’ll get a decent price for him if/when he’s sold in the future.

In other transfer items, the RvP situation should be creating some alarm bells at this point. Peter Hill-Wood was recently quoted as saying, “[RvP] doesn’t want to talk about it at the moment and we are not troubling him.” Yikes. Sounds to me like van Persie at least wants to see how things shake out in the spring (and perhaps also in the January window), before making any decisions about his future. I suspected as much, but this tends to confirm that. But at least Cesc has chimed in on how important it would be for the club to keep RvP. Uh, thanks for that note. Some fans thought it would be pretty important to keep you too, Cesc, but that didn’t mean a whole lot to you this summer. Anyway, I’d personally prefer not to hear him speak about Arsenal’s business for a while, but that’s just me.

In a final bit of transfer news, I’ve decided I have a new object of my transfer wish list affection: Marco Reus from Borussia Mönchengladbach. While the M’Vila rumors continue, I still have a more attacking player in mind, given what our current roster looks like. We’ve already talked quite a bit about Hazard and Götze on these pages, but I’m giving up on both of them. There are just too many big clubs driving those prices up. And while Man City’s Sporting Director, Mike Rigg, recently stated his admiration for Reus, I’m still hoping he eludes their grasp. Supposedly, his price is still in the £18 million range, which figures to be well below what Hazard and Götze will eventually cost. Furthermore, it’s encouraging that Reus plays for a club that’s not exactly one of the European giants, and his manager has already admitted that he’s received contact from Wenger over Reus.

So who is Reus anyway? Well naturally, I’m not an expert on the Bundesliga, but I can say that everything I’ve both seen and read is quite impressive. He’s only 22, and his career has only recently blossomed. As recently as the spring of 2009, he was playing for a club called Rot Weiss Ahlen. This season, he’s already scored 8 times in 10 total appearances. Last year, he had 12 goals and 10 assists in all appearances. From watching his videos, you’ll see a few things right away. He has quite a bit of pace, and he’s not afraid to unleash it from distance AT ALL. And he’s handy with either foot.

Anyway, I’m sure nothing will come of that either, but at least I have a new favorite player to dream about during the January window.

And finally, Wojo had some recent statements about how Arsenal could overtake Man City for the league title. I decided to research the largest deficit ever overcome in the Premier League era. It turns out my guess would have been correct. It was none other than the 97-98 version of Arsenal, which came back from a 13 point deficit in December to win the title. Currently, we’re 12 back of Man City, but they haven’t provided us much help lately, winning their last 6 league outings. Needless to say, I’m much more concerned with simply getting to fourth place in the end, but at least now you know what history says about our chances.

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You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3.

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Category: Arsenal News, Nicklas Bendtner, Transfer News and Player Movement

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Bertrand

Ha good post by Homey.

Seems like you are capable of decent writing.. when you decide to do that instead of bashing on Wenger.
Darren_V

Szczesny got beat from another long-range shot? Seems to me that he is developing a trend at conceding a high rate of long range efforts. Something to keep in mind at any rate.
As for RVP, some may think this is alarm bells. But to me it's understandable for a player in RVPs position. 28 yrs old and looking for his final big contract before he starts a decline. He could get well paid at Arsenal, but he also hasn't one anything (basically) during his time here. RvP wants to win, and Arsenal may not even make the CL next year. It scares me he might leave, but for me this is very different than someone like Na$ri.
Alex Song though... I could see him leaving for a massive money move.
Gunnerson

I think RvP, along with many of us, believes this is his season to show what he is capable of when in-form and uninjured. Its not about money quite obviously since people looking for more tend to negotiate for a while before seeking $$$ pastures (a la Na$ri), not to say if he decides to stay he wouldn't ask the club to open their 'pursies'. RvP doesn't want to even speak about this, which is quite honestly what any intelligent player would do when there is so much uncertainty in his and his clubs future. All I know is that if we don't qualify for the CL, he isn't the only player that will most definitely leave. Quite the crucial season for us. Winning a trophy and making a signing that could be considered "ambitious" by popular consensus should certainly help.
Martin

Yeah. This is probably old news to everyone else, but I actually just found out today reading about Song that he recently hired none other than Darren Dein as his agent, so it wouldn't shock me to see him go. Which is unfortunate, because I'm a huge fan, and Arsenal's record with him in the starting XI vs. without him the last few seasons speaks for itself.
Rico

If we lose Song and RVP doesn't sign a new contract we will be in serious shit. I hope we don't lose Song am a big fan too! he's the quiet sturdy reliable defensive midfielder. All leads back to Man City destroying the league. Damn you Mancini! I hate your face!
FredJacob

we will survive, we lost better players, when RVP was injured Chamahk step up, so have no fear
Martin

A couple of things:

1. I believe the 18 million figure is actually Reus's buyout number from his contract not necessarily his price. So (a) we may be able to get him for less than that if the club agrees, and (b) if we ponied up that much (not sure I see us doing that, since that would be about as much as we've ever spent on a player), it would be automatically accepted and we could try to negotiate with the player on personal terms.

2. The 13 point deficit comeback was before my time following the club, but it sounds pretty remarkable. One note of caution, though, is that I believe we had 3 matches in hand when we were 13 points down, so the "real" points per match deficit was actually much less than 13 points makes it sound.

3. There are real alarm bells going off for me about the RvP situation -- this just seems like Nasri 2.0, even down to the fact that RvP hired Nasri's agent, Darren Dein, who has made a cottage industry of signing Arsenal players and then having them turn down contracts from the club and move elsewhere. I think if we let it go to the summer, RvP is in all likelihood gone. On the bright side, I guess, is that his transfer value has never been higher, and if he can stay healthy for the rest of the season I think we'd get a king's ransom for him, even with only one year left on his deal.
Orion

Just so you know, your third point is alarmingly discomforting.
Homey_Mills

Is Martin on Mondays officially dead?
Homey_Mills

Thanks for this info. Regarding your first point, I saw that information too. However, if multiple teams were all willing to pay the buyout number, couldn't there still be a bidding war to push the price up? I could see that happening.
Regarding your second point, I do tend to remember that. And it was probably in the blog that I wrote about that season. But I guess I didn't want to take the time to go back and clarify that detail.
Martin

I don't think there could be a bidding war, because the terms of the contract are that Gladbach have to accept an 18 million bid. So, as I understand it, if Arsenal and Manchester City are both interested, and both willing to meet that price, Gladbach will have to accept both bids, and the winner would be whichever club (if either) successfully came to personal terms with Reus. Obviously City could still use money to win the bid by offering Reus much bigger wages than Arsenal would offer, but I don't see a way in which the club could get more than 18 million out of it. But it's entirely possible I don't understand how it works, and I'm willing to be corrected on this if I am.
Orion

With regards to Manchester City wanting to buy every damn player that knows how to kick a ball, I think Sheikh Mansour and his ilk will only keep this up as long as they are having fun. They're certainly not doing it for the money, as can be seen from them throwing financial prudence out of the window. We have already witnessed this with Abrahamovic. He started spending countless millions, did not win the trophy he always wanted and eventually stopped spending so much. In January of this year, we were told by British media that he has "fallen back in love with the game". What did he do next? He spent 50 million pounds on Fernando Torres.

My point is that I do not believe that Manchester City and other mindless spenders like Paris Saint-German and Anzhi Makhachkala will continue down the road that they have taken. In the end, the good guys (clubs who spend their own money) win.
financial gooner

Sheikh Mansour's business plan for City is at least a 10 year plan. The deal with Etihad airways is for 10 years and 400 million pounds for shirt sponsorships, naming rights and the Etihad Campus deal. He is in the process of building a global brand. It may seem like he is throwing away money now, and his business plans are front loaded. But, there is a rational financial basis to his long range plans. City's gross revenues are now (2010) at $125 million pounds while Arsenals are at $224 million pounds. Arsenal has a financial advantage with matchday revenues being $93 million pounds compared to City's $20 million pounds. And Wenger increased ticket prices by 6.5% this year. City will add $30 to $40 mil/yr for CL, $20 mil/yr for commercial deals, $10 to $20 mil/yr for Etihad campus commercial deals and maybe $10 mil/yr with stadium capacity and ticket price increases. City's revenues will soon be a little over $200 mil pounds per year, close to ours of $225 mil. The only thing that will rein them in to an extent is FFP, and it will be a number of years (5?) before the sanctions start kicking in for real. They will be on an equal revenue footing with us for FFP soon and they will be more willing to directly negotiate deals for players (image rights, adidas/nike sponsorships, soft drink,etc.) outside of the club to compensate players outside of FFP rules. Some #'s:

           (2010)          Revenues          Wages
                               (mil pounds)

Arsenal                    $224                    $111

City                         $125                    $133

Chelsea                    $210                   $173

Interesting their 2010 wages were not so much greater that ours. And their revenues will soon be close to ours. Of course, the transfer spending has been insane, but their "net" transfer spending going forward should be reasonable as they sell a few players (Tevez) and pick up a few. It will be interesting to see the 2011 revenue and especially the wage numbers, when they are available.
Bertrand

How is their revenue even remotely close to ours?

Our revenue is nearly 2x theirs...
financial gooner

I discussed it in the commentary. Of course you are exactly right foe 2010. For 2011/2012 add the following revenues to their $125 mil/yr:

Champions League $30 to $40 million pounds (considering all the incremental $$)

Commercial deals (new) $20 mil pounds per yr add'l (new $400 mil 10 year deal)

Revenue expected from Etihad Campus deals $20 mil yr

Add'l stadium capacity $10 to $20 mil

Their revenues will be close to ours soon. They are not yet.
Nasty

Once city establish themselves as a big club they won't really need financial support anymore. But that may be some time before that happens. They easily have the biggest wage bill along with Chelsea I assume. It would be awesome if uefa kick em out of CL for violating FFP and make an example out of em. And give their CL money to arsenal. With aguero and silva also included in the package.
Orion

I agree with you to a certain extent, but we can look at Chelsea as an example. Their team has aged and now they are in some desperate need of rebuilding, with Sturridge, Luiz and Lukaku the only young prospects for the future. Manchester City, of course, have younger players. Top clubs need lots of money to sustain, with wage bill being a very good example, just like you said. Sadly, I think top clubs will find a loophole in the FFP, which is why I don't have much hope in that scheme. Hoping that the owners become bored remains my only hope.
Bertrand

Chelsea also has Torres, Romeu, Mikel and Ramires.

And don't forget about that tricky Spaniard, Mata (who should've been playing for us).
financial gooner

Loopholes in FFP for sure. It's not really a fair fight. We have an owner where the buffalo cries when he gets hold of a nickel, never met a transfer fee he didn't like, with London old boys making business decisions. Mansour has Harvard/Stanford/Wharton MBA's with 30 years big time business experience, has unlimited funds and only cares about obtaining his best 25 player squad. He won't mind dropping $100 million/yr overall if the FFP financial conversions can come close to a breakeven. (FFP in 5 years when maybe(?) some sanctions will really come in). Simple example..... Our business boys minimized the financing costs of the new stadium in exchange for reduced revenue on the naming rights and shirt sponsorships. Why? Pretty dumb, eh? Financing costs are excluded from FFP and naming rights revenues and sponsorship revenues are included. So, when considering FFP, the intelligent strategy is to maximize both financing costs and naming & sponsorship revenues so that the net revenue/cost is the same as when we minimized both. $70 mil/yr in revenue and $60 mil/financing costs is much better that $20 mil/yr revenue and $10 mil/yr financing costs. The first deal provides $50 mil/yr more for FFP calculations than the second deal. This is exactly what City did with the Etihad campus financial arrangements. The costs are excluded from FFP but the revenues will be included. There are many other ways to increase revenues for FFP and move the costs of the squad "off the books". Mansour will find every single way possible to have the FFP rules work in his favor, and is not concerned if his truly drops $100 mil/yr. Kroenke cares about every dollar and will want to stay at a profit, net. Also, Arsenals 2011 profit was only $12 million. 2012 profit will be up with the Nasri & Cesc sales. The fees paid for acquisitions are amortized over 4 or 5 years based on the contract lengths. 2012 will be a good "net" year.

Arsenal's one financial advantage over city is the matchday revenue. Our's is close to $100 million while City's is only a measly $18 million. They will be increasing stadium capacity to 60,000, but are still restricted with the deal they have with their city council whereby their portion of the revenue is fixed. If they ever address this issue, watch out. Their revenue will skyrocket way above ours.
LachlanS

In case no one heard, van der Vaart has managed to sustain an injury in an international. Not really too relevant, but I am still of the firm belief that we need all the help we can get to top them by the end of the season.
Ian

As soon as i saw the words Rosicky and injury in the same sentence i froze. scared me there homey
JG

Man City are in for every single U25 promising player who is not at a big club at the moment- Cerci, Javi Martinez, M'Vila, Reus, Goetze, Hazard... it's annoying. Can't they be content with Gareth Barry?
Homey_Mills

Yeah, I hear ya. But of course, they can't buy them all, can they? So if they have limitless funds, hopefully they'll snap up one of those others, and leave my new favorite target alone. We'll see.
Perry S.

Ridiculously enough, they certainly can buy them all if they really wanted to.
Homey_Mills

I guess my point was more the fact that there are still roster size limits, even if there are no financial limits.
Rico

and might just do that out of spite to stop any other teams having up and coming players.
LachlanS

Easiest way to eliminate competition on the pitch really
Nasty

Exactly. Barry is better than all of em put together. Man I wish we had Gareth Barry at arsenal. What a beast of a player...