Gunners’ pride, on and off the pitch

SEPT 29 — It has been another successful year. That is what Arsenal can proudly claim … after the financial results were officially announced yesterday by Arsenal Holdings plc.

According to the report, revenues from football increased to £235.3 million (RM1.17 billion) — up from £225.4 million in 2011; operating profit in the football business was £32.3 million — down from £45.8 million last year due to increased wage costs; profit from player trading was £26 million — the result of a number of significant player sales, including Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri; and finally, group profit before tax was £36.6 million, which is more than double last year’s £14.8 million.

Meanwhile, at Stamford Bridge and the Etihad, oil barons do what they do best, grease any problem by pumping in even more money to help managers rev up their professional fantasies on the pitch. That both clubs are running at massive operating losses despite significant earnings from their winning the Champions League and Premiership titles, respectively, in May, matters not.

Can you hear that? It is the sound of moaning Arsenal supporters around the world wanting a little bit of that glory too, as the directors walk happily along the hallways of Ashburton Grove (the real name for the Emirates stadium) that have been barren of a trophy cabinet since the club moved from their previous home, Highbury.

That the financial results should be released on the eve of a major London derby with Chelsea just enhances the disparity between both these clubs.

But this Gooner is not complaining. I continue to believe in the principle of building a winning team, rather than buying one. With or without UEFA’s Financial Fair Play guidelines (or rules), the Gunners are going to be the winners in the long run. Fans just have to be patient.

I strongly believe, however, that they need not wait too long. This season has clearly seen one of the strongest starts by Arsene Wenger’s men (and boys) in recent memory.

Last weekend’s display of grit and flair combined, gave the rest of the Premiership a taste of the Gunners’ real strength — failing to take all three points against Man City only because of poor finishing.

Then, in mid-week, the trouncing of League One side Coventry City in the League Cup, in which a few seniors (including Theo Walcott and Andrey Arshavin) combined well with younger talents, further enhanced the possibility that this season might be the start of Wenger’s long-awaited victorious comeback trail and prove his critics wrong once and for all.

Not that I ever doubted him, nor felt he needed a comeback of any sorts. He has delivered every season he has been with the club, and many a club would give up all their failed managers for even half a Wenger, let alone a complete one.

For example, it is not often that one can get a better buy on the transfer market for half the price. That’s exactly what happened after Wenger failed to get Eden Hazard from Lille due to the £32 million price tag, which Chelsea willingly paid.

Instead, the professor, who celebrated his 16th year in charge of the Gunners yesterday, targeted a talented Spaniard by the name of Santi Cazorla for about £16 million.

The official Premiership stats has shown that in the first five matches played this season, the individual performance of Cazorla has easily overshadowed that of Hazard. Yes, the season is long and form may change, but it has already set him apart as being possibly the best buy of the summer transfer market.

Cazorla, who previously plied his trade at Primera Liga side Malaga, has made many stand up and take notice of the Gunners in a way they have not for many years. Some even rate him higher than Fabregas.

This is why tonight’s match (8.45pm) becomes even more crucial as a match-up between clubs on opposite poles in terms of sustainable financial policies and practices.

Facing the two most obscenely rich clubs, in terms of player transfer value and wages, back-to-back, and getting a victory after last Sunday’s courageous draw, would be the ultimate answer to all the pre-season concerns by Arsenal supporters.

* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.