Arsenal fans certainly thought so yesterday, even though it was another season without a trophy. They had qualified for the Champions League again at the expense of their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Moreover, one cannot claim that their league position was a shock: they have finished 3rd or 4th every year since 2005.
Arsenal fans certainly thought so yesterday, even though it was another season without a trophy. They had qualified for the Champions League again at the expense of their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Moreover, one cannot claim that their league position was a shock: they have finished 3rd or 4th every year since 2005.
In many ways qualifying for the Champions League is a bigger prize than either of the two domestic cups. If Arsenal get through to the group stage, they should earn at least £21m. But it’s not just about money, it’s also about prestige, a continuing place in the European elite. Above all, it’s about the ability to attract and retain the best players with speculation continuing to surround Gareth Bale at Tottenham, although he may well stay for one more season at least.
For Arsene Wenger the challenge is to spend the money available to him wisely and to stop relying just on the development of youth players or purchases under valued elsewhere.
Coming fourth rather than fifth means that Arsenal receive an extra £755,000 in prize money. For Norwich moving up one place after their win at Manchester City brought them an extra three quarters of a million. For Newcastle their home defeat cost them £2.265m.