FOR YOUR SPENDING
Ars chief warns big boys about big buys
said. “But the important thing about our model is that it’s sustainable.
“If we’ve learned anything from the world’s economic crisis, it has to be that football clubs need to be responsible – not just for today, but for their own futures.
Anxiety
“Our business model means we can continue to do what we’re doing forever.
“Our focus is always on young players. We’ve got a fantastic development system and there are young players coming through consistently from our youth ranks. That will continue to be the way Arsenal do things.
“We play football in a certain way – a little bit different to everyone else – and we develop our team in a way that’s a little different to everybody else.
“We can’t afford to spend £50-70million on individual players, but we’re proud of the way we do things and we’re proud of the results that we’re able to produce from that.
“There’s anxiety when clubs are spending that kind of money. We don’t believe that’s sustainable for the long term.
“It has to come to an end. UEFA agrees with us and is bringing in limits on spending. We’ll continue to do things the way we do them.”
Gazidis points to the success of teenage winger Alex OxladeChamberlain as a case in point of how he thinks transfer matters should be concluded.
Exciting
Arsenal signed the 18-yearold from Southampton this summer and he has impressed to such an extent that he has an outside chance of making England’s Euro 2012 squad.
“Arsene spends money with a view not just to the short term, but also to the long term,” Gazidis added. “People don’t think about Alex, but we spent a lot of money on him. We believe he is a young player who is an exciting prospect.
“There are a lot of clubs in the Premier League that would love to have him, believe me.”
Wenger came under fire from Gunners fans when he subbed Oxlade-chamberlain in the club’s defeat to Man United two weeks ago.
Gazidis appeared to give his backing to the Frenchman, however, saying: “We have one of the greatest managers the world has ever seen.
“We’re in three competitions this year. Man City would love to be in three competitions. They’re not.”