Don't expect big transfers for 20 years, says Arsene Wenger
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Don't expect big transfers for 20 years, says Arsene Wenger
Crossroads: Debt goes one way, wages will go the other, says Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger has warned that Arsenal's frugal approach in the transfer market could last another 20 years.
The manager has repeatedly had to defend the club's cost-conscious approach while the trophy cabinet remains bare and has now said there is no way out in the foreseeable future.
Arsenal's move to Emirates Stadium has saddled them with a debt of £239 million and annual payments of £20m on a 'mortgage' which is not due to be paid off until 2031.
They are generating profits in other parts of the club's business but the problem is stretching an annual wage bill which had already reached £110.7m by the end of last season.
'Yes, the wage bill approach will stay the same until the stadium is paid off,' said Wenger. 'But when it is we can go a bit higher. We can never be dominant in the transfer market because it is never just the money you spend to buy players, it is the wages as well.'
They made £56m overall in the year to May and have cleared all debts unrelated to the stadium, but profits from the football operation are expected to drop.
So free signings, such as Marouane Chamakh, and the focus on youth are here to stay.
Wenger believes they will take what would be a 'significant' step forward by winning at Chelsea today and has urged his players to forget their neighbours' acknowledged superiority.
'I don't believe in history,' said Wenger, aware Arsenal have beaten Chelsea just twice in their last 15 meetings.
Wenger has just served a touchline ban but claims he was just unlucky to be caught.
'In the 14 years I have been here and walked up and down the corridors I have seen people who have lost it much more than that.
'It depends if you are caught on camera or not.'
So was Harry Redknapp right when he said the studious Arsenal boss has been driven nuts by life in the Premier League?
'Frankly, no,' said Wenger. 'I was already passionately crazy about football and that has not changed. All managers are mad.'
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Then dont expect trophies for 20 years... Arsenal fans can just watch video tapes of the "invincibles" days and hope and delude themselves that next year... surely next year will be our year liao...
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hahahaha.just like liverpool fans,each year,they kept saying they will win the league,for sure.and it has been 20 years,and amazingly,pool fans still keep saying the same thing.really,must salute pool fans for being so shameless!!!