More money, more problems! Arsenal to be paid almost £13m in first Premier League pay-day
The fourth place finish – a minimum requirement for a club of Arsenal’s stature – was enough to not only secure the much coveted chance of playing Champions League football but also add some weight to Arsene Wenger’s transfer war chest this summer.
The sum of nearly £13 million – the average amount of fees spent on summer signings Lukas Podolksi and Olivier Giroud – could even be worth a new signing for the Gunners. But this is only part of the payments to be made by the Premier League.
The prize money for finishing fourth does not include earnings from the lucrative BPL TV rights deal which could take the total income to around £56 million.
Here is the table of who earned what this season.
1. Manchester United – £15,101,240
2. Manchester City – £14,246,178
3. Chelsea – £13,591,116
4. Arsenal – £12,836,054
5. Tottenham – £12,080,992
6. Everton – £11,325,930
7. Liverpool – £10,570,868
8. West Bromwich Albion – £9,815,806
9. Swansea City – £9,060,744
10. West Ham United – £8,305,682
11. Norwich City – £7,550,620
12. Fulham – £6,795,558
13. Stoke City – £6,040,496
14. Southampton – £5,285,434
15. Aston Villa – £4,530,372
16. Newcastle United – £3,775,310
17. Sunderland – £3,020,248
18. Wigan Athletic – £2,265,186
19. Reading – £1,510,124
20. Queens Park Rangers – £755,062
How do you think the club should invest these gains?
Denilson handed unwanted news from Arsenal
Denilson will join the likes of Andrey Arshavin and Sebastian Squillaci out of the door at Arsenal as early as next month.
The once highly-rated Brazilian youngster will see his Arsenal career come to an end this summer after the club informed him that he is not part of their plans ahead of the 2013/14 season.
Denilson has spent nearly two seasons now in his homeland after being shipped back to his old club Sao Paulo during the summer of 2011, despite the exits of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri leaving a void in Arsenal’s midfield.
The aim of Denilson’s initial loan move was for the midfielder to rediscover the potential which saw him attract a £3.4million transfer to the Emirates stadium in August 2006.
But despite a solid effort in this campaign’s Campeonato Brasileiro, the 25-year-old has failed to convince the Gunners and even he admitted concerns over his future recently.
“I don’t know what will happen but I hope my situation is solved quickly.” Denilson said
Sao Paulo on the other hand are stalling over their decision. Vice-president Joao Paulo de Jesus Lopes revealed two weeks ago that there will be no offer of a permanent move for Denilson just yet because it would ‘cost more money’.
Meanwhile, other forgotten Arsenal loanees Nicklas Bendtner, Maroaune Chamakh, Andre Santos and Johan Djourou will discuss their future with the club next month.
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STUNNER! Is this Gunners’ new gold Puma kit?
Puma are still working on the final design of Arsenal’s kits ahead of their big take-over in the season after next year.
But if the Gunners’ away kit looked like this, would you buy it?
Credit to @Lagvilava7
Report: Arsenal 4-1 Wigan
Three goals in eight dramatic minutes grabbed all three points for Arsenal in this decisive fixture on Tuesday.
It was a frantic spell between the 63rd and 71st minute which swung the pendulum marginally Arsenal’s way in that long race for a top four spot ahead of Sunday’s final day of the campaign.
The outcome – which relegated Wigan – was emphatic in the end, but after Shaun Maloney’s brilliant free-kick had canceled out Podolski’s early opener just a minute before the break, there were more questions than answers for the Gunners during half-time.
To their credit, Wenger’s men along with their opponents returned for the second-half in full-blooded fashion as this contest became a wide open one. But Wigan suddenly surrendered the fight when Walcott bundled home a cross from Cazorla to make it 2-1 before the Spaniard set up Podolksi to coolly score a third five minutes later.
Then came the icing on the cake from Ramsey who chose today to score his first Premier League goal of the season by racing onto a through pass and whipping the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
Rangers will give player permission for Arsenal
Queens Park Rangers are now willing to let go of Loic Remy if he is bound for Arsenal.
The French striker only moved to London during the January transfer window, but even he could not help salvage his side from suffering relegation as Rangers now prepare for life in the Championship.
And with the club in the midst of a financial crisis which includes an £89 million debt, several of QPR’s prized assets who are earning high wages will not be denied a move away from the club.
One player certain to attract a move elsewhere is Loic Remy who has managed to net five goals in his short spell with Rangers, becoming the club’s joint top scorer this season along with Bobby Zamora and Adel Taarabt.
Indeed, Arsenal have been keeping tabs on Remy ever since his loan spell at Lens during his days as a youngster in France and after losing the battle to secure his services when the former Lyon boy joined Marseille in 2010, the Gunners are now ready to pounce on a second chance to sign the France international.
Incoming reports are now suggesting that QPR chairman Tony Fernandes has listed Remy amongst players who are available for sale this summer and the striker will come cheap for any suitors considering the relegation clause of just £6 million he has on his contract.
Remy is deemed to be a fan of the Gunners, but Arsenal, who sent out chief scout Steve Rowley to study the 6’1 forward in action a week before he featured against Wenger’s men last Saturday, may have to convince Remy into taking a pay-cut from the current £75,000-a-week deal he pockets at Loftus Road.
Is Loic Remy the front-man needed at the Emirates? Share your thoughts on our Facebook or Twitter
Gunners Gain: Chelsea draw 2-2 with Tottenham
Arsenal received a boost in their fiesty challenge for a top four finish as Wednesday’s mighty clash between Chelsea and Tottenham saw both sides drop points in an enjoyable 2-2 draw.
Chelsea began the night on the front foot and forced a corner from which Oscar helped Cahill’s header into the net after just ten minutes.
The home side seemed to mean business today and could always have put their north London opponents to bed with a second goal, but out of nothing Spurs were level.
Arsenal’s nearest neighbours broke into a counter-attack spear-headed by former Gunner Adebayor who waited, waited and picked his spot in the top corner of the net. Tottenham’s no. 25 had netted a scorcher from about 25 yards out.
And if the response from Villas-Boas’ men to going behind was nothing short of sensational, then that of Benitez’s men following Adebayor’s equalizer was worthy of praise too.
The visitors were a caught in a swift move by Chelsea and Ramires capitalized by curling a low shot across Lloris from the edge of the area to hand the home side another lead.
It all looked to have crumbled for Arsenal as far their hopes of third place finish were concerned as Chelsea inched closer to a victory which would have not just tightened their grip on that third spot but effectively sealed a top four place or them.
But with just ten minutes to go, Adebayor laid off the ball so well for Sigurdsson who coolly finished past Cech as it all ended in a pulsating 2-2 draw.
Chelsea now sit at third with 69 points, followed by Arsenal with 67 while Tottenham have 66.
German Clubs: Arsenal scarier than Barcelona and Real Madrid
Considering the fact that Arsenal are still the last side to breach Bayern’s defense or defeat the German giants at all in the Champions League, it is safe to say that Heynckes men would pick Juventus and Barcelona over Arsenal in which side they would rather face again.
Sure, it is a different Dortmund side this year, but until their affordable defeat at Real Madrid, Wenger’s men had been the last side to see off last season’s Bundesliga champions. Madrid and Barcelona may have been battered, but we sure weren’t and this cartoon does justice to that fact.
Be a proud Gooner and while you are at it, find out why Bayern are in danger at Wembley.
Wenger set for crunch June meeting with Gazidis
Arsene Wenger will be holding one of his most significant meetings with the club’s hierarchy this summer.
The occasion, reported to be held after the completion of this campaign will take place primarily between the Frenchman and the club’s chief executive Ivan Gazidis, including selected members of the Arsenal board.
Wenger will be out of contract at the club by this time next year following the 2013-14 season, but the meeting will not be all about the future of the the Gunners’ boss.
Essential matters like the progress of the team and possible transfer moves will be discussed when the men gather in June, but as far as Wenger’s contract situation is concerned, the club is unwilling to offer any new deal just yet.
The 63-year-old last renewed his contract at the Emirates in August 2010 in a very profitable three-year extension which put him amongst the highest earning managers in the game.
Wenger has not only attracted strong criticism from certain frustrated Arsenal fans in recent times but some strong interest too from PSG over a return to France. Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood though, has already labelled rumours about the Frenchman moving back to his country as “nonsense”.
Sad now Sagna?: Boss reveals defender could not explain himself after big error
Bacary Sagna may find it difficult to keep his head up high at the moment.
The defender’s howler on Sunday ensured that Arsenal could only settle for a 1-1 draw after a dominant first-half display against Manchester United.
The Gunners witnessed former striker Robin van Persie dominate the headlines before and after the match, but the penalty-kick which the Dutchman dispatched on Sunday was gifted by a loose pass and then a rush tackle by Sagna who had his head in his hands afterwards.
That was the only shame in a gutsy display from Wenger’s men against the newly crowned champions and despite gaining what could be a useful point on the table, the Arsenal boss admitted that his right-back was at fault.
“No [he didn't tell me what was going through his mind]. He is very disappointed tonight, he is a boy who gives absolutely everything in every game” Wenger said
“I think he made a bad pass, that can happen, and maybe after he panicked a little bit and maybe wanted to repair too quickly what he did, but he had time to tackle.”
Once an integral part of Arsene Wenger’s side, injuries and below-par shows in recent times have seen a dip in form from Sagna, but before talks of replacing the French defender begin, the Arsenal manager praised Sagna’s usual services.
”He has saved us so many times but that unfortunately happened today.” he added
Sagna will be out of contract next year in the summer of 2014, but the club is yet to offer him an extension to his current deal.
‘I never thought we’d become a selling club’: Former Gunner speaks out
One of the heros of Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ side has expressed his surprise at the Arsenal of today.
Edu Gaspar, who helped secure two Premier League crowns for Arsene Wenger in only four years in north London, claims that the Gunners’ inability to retain its prized assets over the past eight years has contributed to what is becoming a long trophy drought.
Asked whether he ever thought the FA Cup triumph he enjoyed on his final day as an Arsenal player would go on to be the club’s last taste of silverware to date, the Brazilian was quick to admit his disbelief.
“No! No, because I did not imagine that Arsenal would sell so many big players in such a short period of time as they have done.” Edu confessed
“But even then because of Arsenal’s grander, I did not imagine that the club could spend so long without winning a title because I got used to Arsenal back in the early days, winning so many trophies ” He added
By the end of his Arsenal stay in May 2005, Edu was looking back at five major honours in the red and white, and despite the failures of those who have taken over from him, Arsenal’s former no. 17 is adamant that the Gunners will rediscover their glorious days.
“The club will return to winning ways. It will restructure itself once again because it is a team that deserves it” Edu said
Classic: Van Persie wasn’t good enough for Arsenal in this one
Sunday will bring back an old rivalry – once feisty but now friendly.
Indeed, even after the exits of the Vieira’s and Henry’s, the Gunners were still considered bitter foes to the red devils for a while through the talents Fabregas and company but the gap has widened these days.
Anyway, here is a Nike commercial from almost half a decade ago which glorified the two club’s competitive relationship, but as you watch, you may notice how the man who has already made all the headlines for Sunday was not even featured in this famous ad.
Picture of the Day
Arsenal tightened their grip on a place in the top four with a triumph at Craven Cottage which typified the club’s fighting spirit. As the old saying goes, it was one-nil to the Arsenal!
Wenger: Why I didn’t buy Berbatov
Arsene Wenger has shed some light over gossip that he once chased the signature of Dimitar Berbatov.
The Bulgarian striker has been one of the Premier League’s most prized strikers ever since his arrival at Tottenham in 2006, shinning at White Hart Lane before attracting a move to Manchester United in 2008.
Despite all his exploits, one move he did not attract was a bid from Arsene Wenger who claims that contrary to reports that he made transfer inquiries about the former Bundesliga star at some point, he was never actually interested in the player.
The Gunners will be up against Berbatov on Saturday in their trip to Fulham, and even though the Bulgarian was up for grabs in the transfer market prior to his move from Old Trafford to Craven Cottage last summer, Arsene Wenger insists he was even unaware that the striker was for sale.
Indeed, according to the Frenchman, the Gunners were never in need of the 32-year-old’s services.
“No (I was never interested in him) because he went to Man United.” Wenger said
“I didn’t even know that Man United wanted to sell him. He went to Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen. At that time we didn’t look for strikers. We had what was needed.”
“I knew that he was a good player because I’ve seen him with Leverkusen but I was never on the case (to sign him).
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Report: Arsenal 0-0 Everton
A full-blooded tussle at the Emirates stadium ended all square as Arsenal had to settle for a point against fellow top-four challengers Everton.
The contest may have been full-blooded but it was hardly full of goal-scoring opportunities and in truth, the half-chances which came Arsenal’s way were spurned by leading striker Olivier Giroud.
It was a draw which favoured neither side’s ambitions to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Then again, it hardly did any damage to those hopes either.
Towards the end, and certainly for much of the second-half, Arsenal proved to be the side more eager for a win, but David Moyes’ organized men could have been defending a lead anyway had Pienaar not failed to snatch an early goal for the visitors.
Wenger on ‘departure’ of Lukas Podolski this summer
Despite bagging an efficient 14 goals in his first season in Arsenal colours, Podolski has attracted speculation over being ditched by the club after the end of the campaign.
In recent weeks – notably ever since early Feberuary – the German international has failed to enjoy as much action as he did during the first half of the season when he was an ever-present.
Normally, you would point to fitness issues and Wenger’s squad rotation as being the only reasons for the trimming down of Podolski’s minutes on the pitch, but reports by tabloids claim it is indeed a fall-out between the 27-year-old and his boss which have limited his playing.
But Arsene Wenger is not having any of that.
“Look how he played when he came on. As soon as you have a player who doesn’t play for three games, the papers get a story like that. But he looks very happy to be here.” Wenger said
Despite Arsenal having a knack of selling key players in recent years, it would be odd to witness the sale of Lukas Podolski after only a single season, and Arsene Wenger praised the value of having the former Bundesliga star as an option from the bench in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Norwich which was sealed by a well-taken goal from the forward.
“The luxury we have is to have Podolski, Walcott and Chamberlain on the bench. We have offensive quality on the bench at home, so once you get the team under pressure it is very helpful.” the Arsenal boss said
“They had a good impact, yes. They came on with a good attitude and a good spirit. Once Norwich got a bit tired, they made a difference.”
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Picture of the Day
Until the 85th minute today, you would not have seen this coming. From living with frustration to leaving with elation, three goals in seven minutes is the drama that being an Arsenal fan is all about.
Enjoy this shot of all the three vital goals.
Classic Shot: Forget silverware, Gunners won Golden Premier League trophy
Welcome to this week’s installment of the Classic Shot.
Today’s classic image is of a trophy which meant more than silverware.
Back in May 2004, the Premier League commissioned a special trophy to mark Arsenal’s achievement of winning the title by going through the entire 2003/04 league season unbeaten. The trophy was a golden version of the Premier League trophy presented to every champion on the final day of that season.
Indeed, no club other than Arsenal FC owns this one of a kind trophy. And at the time of the feat, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said:
“This award has been under consideration for some time, though the board of the Premier League felt it was inappropriate to come to a decision as to how to honour this achievement before Saturday’s game, as it would have prejudged the outcome of a match.”
“Arsenal’s remarkable achievement has crowned what has been another season of top-class football with some of the game’s finest players displaying the blend of skill, passion and commitment that makes the Premier League the most watched domestic league competition in the world.
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Fabianski dropped for Szczesny?
Welcome to Throw The Topic (formerly Fantasy Debate)
This is where a debatable question/topic is posed for your responses. The comment with the most number of thumbs up will obviously be the best response made in the debate.
Today’s topic is:
Would you stick with Lukasz Fabianski or bring back Wojciech Szczęsny?
Lukasz Fabiasnki has done a solid job since his reintroduction in the visit to Bayern Munich, but he does have his flaws while Szczesny was obviously not ticking all the boxes either before he was dropped.
But Szczesny has made the No. 1 spot his own has before, so has he had enough rest to return or is Fabianski just better?
Let the debate begin!
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‘I think this club is the new Arsenal’
If there is a new version of Arsenal in the Premier League, it would have to be Newcastle United.
That is according to Moussa Sissoko, who feels the Magpies’ growing amount of recruits from France is enough to brand them as the ‘new Arsenal’.
The 23-year-old became the tenth Frenchman in Newcastle’s squad after joining them during the January transfer window, but considering how the likes of yesterday’s Robert Pires and today’s Olivier Giroud have all graced the Premier League during Arsene Wenger’s time, it is easy to compare Alan Pardew’s new group of Ligue 1 stars to that of Arsenal’s well known French contingent.
And Sissoko sees the similarity.
“I was a bit surprised that so many French players signed here (for Newcastle). I think this club is the new Arsenal because there are so many French players. ” Sissoko said
Two assists, coupled with three goals in seven league games have witnessed the former Toulouse man take England by storm since arriving a couple of months ago, attracting praises and comparisons to former Arsenal skipper and midfield general Patrick Vieira.
But Sissoko, who recently admitted that he once dreamed of playing in Arsenal colours, claims his childhood role model was actually that same man he is now compared to, Vieira.
“I was inspired by him, by his game and his success.” Sissoko said
“He had a great career and I would be happy to achieve half of what he did. It would be a dream if I can do even better than him..” he added
A video that will touch every Gooner
The international break will always have you idle if you are strictly about Arsenal matters, and so what better way to spend your times than bring back some touching memories of the Gunners?
As far as the post-Invincibles and trophy drought era is concerned, 2008 was probably Arsenal’s most eventful year since moving to the Emirates stadium.
And this video will take you back to the days when Arsenal’s blooming youngsters nearly conquered the Premier League and Europe.
From Eduardo’s injury to the win at the San Siro, this will have you remembering it all.
Enjoy… and don’t cry.
Where would Gunners be without that man?
By David Swaden
When we lost to Blackburn, and with it went our last realistic chance of a trophy, I shouted some things at the team that I am neither proud nor ashamed of. The team and the manager deserved the stick they got, our vice captain has admitted as much.
That day, my furious gripe was that Wenger’s Arsenal continue to play the tap-tap style that made us world beaters in 2004, with little to no variation in style in the last 8 barren years despite the heavy weight of evidence for change.
Eight years ago, that style was, more often than not, blowing teams away. Rarely, if ever, were we outplayed, and a “no-contest” sort of game that we have come to see against Man Utd, Barcelona and the first leg against Bayern was nowhere to be seen.
So if it was so effective then, why so toothless now? The unfortunate truth, in my humble opinion, is that the players Wenger has at his disposal, due to whoever you wish to blame, have gradually deteriorated throughout recent times. Now, we have well meaning, perhaps talented, but hardly ever gifted players. This means they see the game just that little bit slower than the Invicibles, their touch is just that little bit less deft, their X factor that little bit less devastating. The result is hesitant and predictable interplay that is usually easy to read and shut down.
At the same time, as Wenger readily confesses, his style will never create the conditions for a miserly defence. So increasingly we’re seeing an ineffective attack added to what, let’s face it, was pretty much always too porous a back line, not the greatest combination.
This almost made me cry…
Arsenal bowed out of the Champions League with their pride unharmed after doing to Bayern what the Germans did to them in London.
But nothing can sum up Wednesday’s gutsy trip to Munich more emotionally than this brief video.
Bob or Cesc: Which former Arsenal midfielder gave you more ‘wow’ moments?
Welcome to Throw The Topic (formerly Fantasy Debate)
This is where a debatable question/topic is posed for your responses. The comment with the most number of thumbs up will obviously be the best response made in the debate.
Today’s topic is:
Who wowed you more during his days at Arsenal – Robert Pires or Cesc Fabregas?
This may be a tough one but isn’t that the point of ‘Throw the Topic’ discussions anyway?
If you had to pick between Fabregas and Pires for who was the better attacking midfielder for Arsenal over the last decade, who would it be?
Let the talk begin!
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PICTURE: A beauty or ugly stuff – how do you like Bergkamp’s statue?
So here is a peek at the statue of Dennis Bergkamp which will soon be unveiled outside the Emirates stadium. The motion was inspired by an athletic leap the flying Dutchman made for the ball during a match against Newcastle.
It was on that same day which he produced one of his most unforgettable moments in Arsenal coluors – that goal at St. James Park.
But how do you like this art work? Was this the best choice of image to use? Share your thoughts!
