So rather than twisting, Arsenal have decided to stick with Wenger, the board, the coaches and the staff.

Apparently they’re planning on recycling the used tea-bags from last year as well.

Following Mr Gazidis’ comments on last season being a catalyst for change…

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Where exactly can Arsenal fans expect it?

Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis of Arsenal
Chief executive of Arsenal football club Ivan Gazidis (right) saying ‘blah blah blah’

There is little in life that isn’t effected by change.

We ourselves weren’t always these fine specimens we are today (he says as he looks despondently in the mirror after showering every morning). We were once ape-shaped with little to no interest in the inner workings of Arsenal Football Club. Long gone are the days when we would attend a football match with our packed lunch of bananas and nuts and just enjoy the spectacle of the game with our simian mates. Despite fans’ disapproval of the club’s current setup, the board seemingly don’t give a monkeys.

Arsenal, whilst dearly held in my heart, are not immune to the evolving nature of football. In fact, Arsenal are one of the clubs most beholden to the 21st century expectations of its fans. Fans, if they can be deemed as such, take to YouTube and Twitter to vent their irritation and resentment towards the club in less than 140 characters. Long gone are the handwritten letters of mild disapproval or the homing pigeons used to chastise managers personally.

Football as a business has developed. Arsenal have performed admirably well in this regard. However, there is room for improvement. In 2012, Arsenal agreed a £150million deal with Emirates. Two seasons later and that looks to have been dwarfed by Manchester United, who have earned approximately double that sum (although over a slightly longer agreement). Could Arsenal look to replicate Manchester United’s business model?

emirates
Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

Money in football is fluid and the club will obviously hold their next sponsor to higher expectations in this regard. However, will a company be willing to pay more money in sponsorship if it is not embodied or represented by the calibre of player at Arsenal? Will a major airline or car dealer be prepared to spend millions of pounds if the company’s logo lands on the chest of Alex Iwobi as opposed to Alexis Sanchez?

Like results on the field, the club’s commercial success is linked to the pedigree of player Arsene can call upon. Perhaps this is where Ivan Gazidis foresees change – perhaps Arsenal will be the first elite club to field a team of entirely non-elite players.

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