The gap between Arsenal and Manchester City on paper might be considerable, but in the Premier League, it is presently one point in favour of the Gunners. How long it will stay that way remains to be seen, but it is very enjoyable sitting atop the pile.
The main difference between the two sides beyond the enviable Erling Haaland is the quality of depth. Arsenal have suffered from losing the likes of Thomas Partey, and Albert Sambi Lokonga’s deputising coincided with the club’s only loss of the season.
The Gunners simply lack what City muster in regard to that. However, there is hope that the club have enough financial flexibility to address it.
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When taking a look at the overall wage bill of the clubs in the Premier League, Manchester City have managed their success whilst have only the fourth highest at £144.2m, according to Spotrac. Man United, Liverpool and Chelsea have respectively higher wage bills than the Champions despite being significantly off the pace.
Arsenal, meanwhile, sit fifth, although despite being just one place down the table, the difference between them and Manchester City is a staggering £58.6m. For context, the difference between City and Liverpool in second is just £9.3m.
This gives a serious amount of room to invest and reach the heights of that City side. Liverpool’s self-sustaining model of being able to carry the weight of their squad should only provide further encouragement to the Gunners.
Therefore, when talk of serious upgrades to the contracts of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba are discussed, there should not necessarily be a panic regarding what the impact of the wage bill of the side might be. Of course, the more local and social impacts on the financial dynamic of the group should be considered, but in the wider context of the league, Arsenal have space to manoeuvre.
Mikel Arteta and Edu are largely responsible for this with the overhaul the squad has undergone in their tenure. Moving on, high-earning low, output players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette, Shkodran Mustafi, Sead Kolasinac, Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Hector Bellerin made a significant dent.
Also, being savvy with new signings. Swapping number two goalkeeper Bernd Leno on a six-figure weekly wage for Matt Turner, who is thought to be on considerably less.
Fabio Vieira, the new £34m signing from Porto, is on just £25,000 per week after signing a five-year deal and locking him into a relatively low Arsenal wage for a long period of time.
A further clear-out is still expected too. Nicolas Pepe, Pablo Mari, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson might not all be at the club for next season.
Add potential Champions League revenue to the fold, and suddenly the club look to have significant room to strengthen and add quality. Although the club’s January transfer window plans are sure to play a role too.
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