Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez's exit all about the money

Stan Kroenke has told us that Arsenal is a business, so if we look at Alexis Sanchez’s situation like a business deal, everything starts to make sense.

Arsene Wenger has been so proud of his top four finishes over the past 20 odd years that as Arsenal fans that seems to be the only thing Wenger strives to achieve. However, monetarily speaking, the Champions League means much more to the team financially than it does as a title to draw players to Arsenal.

Firstly, consider this, for 2017/18, Arsenal has announced an approximate 10% reduction in prices for season tickets. The reduction in price is reflective of the fact that Arsenal is playing in the Europa League rather than the Champions League.

Where Arsenal’s tickets can cost an average ranging anywhere from £30 to £60 throughout the year, I assume tickets for a game at home would cost £50. A 10% reduction in ticket prices would therefore lead to Arsenal losing out on £300,000 per home game. That is almost £1 million for the three extra home games Arsenal plays while participating in the Champions League.

Now consider this: The Champions League payout structure is split into two sections, a fixed and a market revenue. If the Gunners were to win three group stage games, and make it to the round of 16, only to lose as they always do, the team stands to earn a minimum of £23 million in fixed revenue alone. Furthermore, based on previous records, Arsenal stands to make an additional £15 million in market revenue.

The grand total from the two paragraphs above, means that just in tickets, and Champions League payout alone, by not qualifying in the top four, Arsenal is set to lose out on at least £39 million. Add the off-pitch revenue and other game day revenue they may lose out on, and it is not ridiculous to see why the price tag on Sanchez is allegedly north of £40 million pounds.

The financial benefits of being in the Champions League far outweigh any financial benefit Alexis Sanchez could bring if sold. Furthermore, if sold, Alexis would have to be replaced and most of the replacements targeted do not give the Gunners a similar chance as Alexis to qualify in the top four.

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In years past, Wenger had no trouble selling to other teams in the Premier League. However, also in years past, the difference between second place and sixth place have never been so close. In 2007/08, the difference between second and sixth was 25 points, 24 in 08/09, 21 in 09/10, 13 in 10/11, 25 in 11/12, 15 in 12/13, 15 in 13/14, 17 in 14/15, 8 in 15/16 and 17 in 16/17.

As a whole, the gap between the top teams in the Premier League have gotten closer and closer throughout the years. Wenger’s reluctance to sell to a Premier League rival is therefore justified, as it will strengthen a direct opponent.

For Stan Kroenke, making money is the most important thing. His track records shows that teams are nothing more than money-making machines and the Gunner’s loss of a spot in the Champions League has forced him to take some action. Therefore, it is understandable that as long as they place in the top four, it doesn’t matter who they lose at season’s end.

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As always, Kroenke should be the source of all your frustration. Although Wenger plays a role in all of this, he can only do as he is told. At the end of the day, Wenger is merely the public figure of the team, Stan Kroenke is the real reason why Arsenal is what it is: A money making machine that cares more about money than it does winning. I hate to say it, but at least Chelsea’s owner cares about winning more than his money.

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Arsenal: Alexis Sanchez’s exit all about the money

By Brian Wong | Jul 25, 2017

Stan Kroenke has told us that Arsenal is a business, so if we look at Alexis Sanchez’s situation like a business deal, everything starts to make sense.

More from Pain in the Arsenal