Most that follow Arsenal should remember the infamous words of former club CEO Ivan Gazidis when he spoke of the level the club were aiming for. With the switch to the Emirates Stadium, there was hope it would allow the Gunners to compete with the elite level.
However, this failed to materialise. Still, in 2013, Gazidis again doubled down on claims saying: “We’re very confident with the new deals we’ve got coming through, although we can’t talk about that in any detail. That’s showing really positive progression.
“We should be able to compete at a level like a club such as Bayern Munich. I’m not saying we are there by any means, we have a way to go before we can put ourselves on that level.
“But this whole journey over the past ten years really has been with that goal in mind which is why I say that this is an extraordinarily ambitious club.
“We get beaten up along the way but I think we are an extraordinarily ambitious club. This has been about putting us up with the best in the world and now the question is turning that platform now into on-field success.”
Gazidis left Arsenal in 2018 with the club nowhere near a title or Champions League victory. In fact, the club had fallen out of the elite European competition altogether.
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After some upheaval and change at the executive level, combined with the full takeover of the club prior to Gazidis' exit, Arsenal have since progressed. Mikel Arteta and now sporting director Edu have overseen a huge amount of investment and improvement that saw the Gunners fight Manchester City for the title last season and return to the Champions League for the 23/24 campaign.
However, to come back to the Bayern comment, while the club are yet to enter the elite European competition again and battle with the German side on the field, off it they have taken great strides.
Bayern were interested in signing Kai Havertz. The German international has since agreed to a £65 million deal including add-ons to join Arsenal football.london understands with the Bavarian side recognising their target’s preference was to move to north London, convinced by Arteta.
Arsenal are also pushing to agree on a deal with Ajax for another Bayern target in Jurrien Timber football.london understands. The Gunners moved ahead of the Bundesliga champions who have been interested in the Dutch international for some time and now Arsenal are negotiating with Ajax to complete a deal.
Lastly, Declan Rice. Although the Gunners looked to have fought off competition from Bayern , the club now faces a battle with Manchester City.
Yet, to see Arsenal in a position again where a high-profile player favours the Gunners over Bayern is certainly positive. Although missing out on the England international will not be reprieved by this fact in any way.
In the case of Timber and Havertz at least, however, there is significant evidence that at least in the market, competing with Bayern is now very much a reality. Next season might deliver the answer to whether the gap on the field has closed from the 10-2 aggregate score in the clubs' last meeting.
