HEY BIG SPENDERS... NOT CITY, BUT ARSENAL!
PEP GUARDIOLA has always said it is not just about money at Manchester City.
And, as he prepares his side for Arsenal, the Catalan will be braced for accusations to be levelled against his club should his team prevail in the title race for the fifth time in six seasons.
Guardiola has become increasingly spiky about suggestions that City’s success has been driven purely by their spending power.
Former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been among their most vocal critics.
But the reality is that the Sky Blues have not become the country’s most dominant force over the last decade by simply splashing the cash.
In fact, they are now delivering much more bang for their buck than any of their Premier League rivals when it comes to transfer investment.
Over the last 10 years, the 12 trophies they have lifted have come at a net cost of £767.3million – an average of £63.9m per trophy.
Compare that with Arsenal, who have lifted the FA Cup four times in the same period after lavish spending of their own.
The Gunners have been outspent by City over the last decade – but by an average of just £10m per season.
In that time, City have never been out of the top four, lifted the FA Cup, five Carabao Cups and been to the Champions League semi-finals in each of the last three seasons.
It is easy to understand Guardiola’s irritation.
Arsenal have a net spend of £666.1m since the start of the 2013-14 season – which means each Wembley success cost them a massive £166.5m.
Gunners fans will be cheered that rivals Tottenham have spent a net £317.1m without lifting a single trophy.
Arsenal go into the game leading the table by five points.
They have played two games more than closest challengers City, following their dramatic late fightback to force a 3-3 draw with bottom club Southampton on
Friday night. But the reality is that, while Mikel Arteta has built a brilliant young team since leaving Guardiola’s side to take charge at the Etihad, the north London club have a higher net spend than City over the last five years.
In fact, out of Europe’s biggest clubs, only Chelsea and Manchester United have higher figures than the Gunners in that period.
Arsenal have invested £593.4m and recouped £123.5m in comparison with City’s figures of £660.2m and £498.8m.
Wages are also a huge factor at the highest level – and City were the thirdhighest payers in the Premier League last year behind Manchester United and Liverpool.
According to the Deloitte Football Money League report, City’s wage bill came in at £353m – £140m more than Arsenal’s.
But the reigning champions generated more cash than any other club last year – £275m ahead of Arsenal, thanks to their continuing success both on and off the pitch.