ARE ARSENAL STILL A BIG CLUB?

[Babatunde]

Now. This is going to be very difficult to get objective, intelligent answers from but by all means I will give this a go anyway.

PLEASE do not follow your heart, follow your heads and logic.

Forget all the things Arsenal won ten years and eight years ago, and instead focus on the last half a decade. I want to ask you if (NOT HISTORICALLY), here and now you can look at Arsenal and call us a Big club?

Please bear in mind the following:

1. Wenger's comments on what it would mean if we lost Fabregas and Nasri in the same summer

2. The quality of player that has deserted Arsenal in the past 4-5 years.

3. The Fact that it has become accepted norm at Arsenal that finishing 4th equates to success.

4. The fact that Arsenal are the only club in Europe with an unsackable manager. Not even Ferguson is unsackable and the guy is like God.

5. The fact that Arsenal are frequently outspent (net) by clubs like Sunderland, Bolton, Hannover, Freiburg and Cesena.

6. The inability to win a single trophy of note in half a decade.

7. The fact that there now seems to be a general consensus amongst ManYoo, Chelsea and Liverpool fans that Arsenal are no longer to be considered a big club or viable threat.

8. The Fact that Arsenal fans are possibly the most passive in Europe. No other so-called big club in Europe would ever ever have fans tolerate the levels of managerial and tactical incompetence displayed on a weekly basis at Arsenal. And not at those prices. That's a Fact.

9. The fact that Arsenal fans genuinely accept that no big-name players would ever have an interest in joining Arsenal.

I don't mean to start an argument here. I want to genuinely see if Arsenal fans in their HEADS (not hearts) can accept that Arsenal are no longer to be considered a big club.

[OneBardGooner]

Now. This is going to be very difficult to get objective, intelligent answers from but by all means I will give this a go anyway.

PLEASE do not follow your heart, follow your heads and logic.

Forget all the things Arsenal won ten years and eight years ago, and instead focus on the last half a decade. I want to ask you if (NOT HISTORICALLY), here and now you can look at Arsenal and call us a Big club?

Please bear in mind the following:

1. Wenger's comments on what it would mean if we lost Fabregas and Nasri in the same summer

2. The quality of player that has deserted Arsenal in the past 4-5 years.

3. The Fact that it has become accepted norm at Arsenal that finishing 4th equates to success.

4. The fact that Arsenal are the only club in Europe with an unsackable manager. Not even Ferguson is unsackable and the guy is like God.

5. The fact that Arsenal are frequently outspent (net) by clubs like Sunderland, Bolton, Hannover, Freiburg and Cesena.

6. The inability to win a single trophy of note in half a decade.

7. The fact that there now seems to be a general consensus amongst ManYoo, Chelsea and Liverpool fans that Arsenal are no longer to be considered a big club or viable threat.

8. The Fact that Arsenal fans are possibly the most passive in Europe. No other so-called big club in Europe would ever ever have fans tolerate the levels of managerial and tactical incompetence displayed on a weekly basis at Arsenal. And not at those prices. That's a Fact.

9. The fact that Arsenal fans genuinely accept that no big-name players would ever have an interest in joining Arsenal.

I don't mean to start an argument here. I want to genuinely see if Arsenal fans in their HEADS (not hearts) can accept that Arsenal are no longer to be considered a big club.

[Boomer]

Where? In Europe or at home?

[RoscommonGooner]

Why did you give 2 voting options?

[terry henry]

We are a big club. I think what you mean is the team crap. Then yes . Yes they are.

[SWLGooner]

The thing is fella that a 'big club' is simply not about the last few years.

It's largely about history, stadium, global fanbase, trophies, attraction for players, the worldwide respect with which you are viewed. And small clubs hating you. We have all of that in spades.

[elpelsarmy]

Now. This is going to be very difficult to get objective, intelligent answers from but by all means I will give this a go anyway.

PLEASE do not follow your heart, follow your heads and logic.

Forget all the things Arsenal won ten years and eight years ago, and instead focus on the last half a decade. I want to ask you if (NOT HISTORICALLY), here and now you can look at Arsenal and call us a Big club?

Please bear in mind the following:

1. Wenger's comments on what it would mean if we lost Fabregas and Nasri in the same summer

2. The quality of player that has deserted Arsenal in the past 4-5 years.

3. The Fact that it has become accepted norm at Arsenal that finishing 4th equates to success.

4. The fact that Arsenal are the only club in Europe with an unsackable manager. Not even Ferguson is unsackable and the guy is like God.

5. The fact that Arsenal are frequently outspent (net) by clubs like Sunderland, Bolton, Hannover, Freiburg and Cesena.

6. The inability to win a single trophy of note in half a decade.

7. The fact that there now seems to be a general consensus amongst ManYoo, Chelsea and Liverpool fans that Arsenal are no longer to be considered a big club or viable threat.

8. The Fact that Arsenal fans are possibly the most passive in Europe. No other so-called big club in Europe would ever ever have fans tolerate the levels of managerial and tactical incompetence displayed on a weekly basis at Arsenal. And not at those prices. That's a Fact.

9. The fact that Arsenal fans genuinely accept that no big-name players would ever have an interest in joining Arsenal.

I don't mean to start an argument here. I want to genuinely see if Arsenal fans in their HEADS (not hearts) can accept that Arsenal are no longer to be considered a big club.

You dont qualify for being a big/small club over half a decade, its something that is built over 60/70years. To dismiss our history and tradition over the last 125 years and think you can qualify it over half a decade is idiotic! Do u think Man City are a big club now cos they have a few quid, won the fa cup last year and are now buying everyone? They were in the 2nd/3rd division 10 years ago, were they a big club then?
Of course we are a big club, the trophys, fan base, attendances, revenue and stature of our club that has built over the last 85 years tells anyone with half a brain we are a big club!!!

[Percy Dalton]

Yes in some ways, no in many others!

We have the infrastructure to be a big club but we lack the mindset and unfortunately the lack of real European success always counts against you.

Several years ago I we had our foot in the door of the European big boys club but we have since been turfed out!

[QuartzGooner]

As most others have said, we are a big club.

Unique history, stadium, training ground, location, fanbase, media focus, popular culture references and some good players attest to that.

What we are not is part of the Euro elite level of clubs that Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Man Utd are.

Or part of the new breed of Sugar Daddy big spenders that includes Chelsea, Man City, Mallorca, PSG and Anzhi Makhachkala.

[OneBardGooner]

As most others have said, we are a big club.

Unique history, stadium, training ground, location, fanbase, media focus, popular culture references and some good players attest to that.

What we are not is part of the Euro elite level of clubs that Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Man Utd are.

Or part of the new breed of Sugar Daddy big spenders that includes Chelsea, Man City, Mallorca, PSG and Anzhi Makhachkala.

btw: does anyone know who owns these fucka's ??..cos they're spending feckin' Oooodles of moolah

http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/ ... 67024.html

I've checked their website etc...but can't find an owner's name!?

[1989]

Myles Palmer hit the nail on the head when he said:

Arsenal are a big club ran by small people.

[RoscommonGooner]

As most others have said, we are a big club.

Unique history, stadium, training ground, location, fanbase, media focus, popular culture references and some good players attest to that.

What we are not is part of the Euro elite level of clubs that Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan, and Man Utd are.

Or part of the new breed of Sugar Daddy big spenders that includes Chelsea, Man City, Mallorca, PSG and Anzhi Makhachkala.

btw: does anyone know who owns these fucka's ??..cos they're spending feckin' Oooodles of moolah

http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/ ... 67024.html

I've checked their website etc...but can't find an owner's name!?

Suleyman Kerimov.

According to Forbes magazine, the self-made Kerimov holds assets worth up to $5.5billion. These assets have been stock piled through impressive investments and the financial knowledge to jump ship before the value of these investments begins to sink, as when restructuring and selling the oil trading areas of the investment company Nafta Moskva. He also has significant stakes in Polyus Gold, one of Russia’s foremost gold producers, and the potash mining company Urakali to name just a few.

Away from the world of business and investment, Kerimov has gained local acclaim in the Republic of Dagestan, one of the federal subjects of the Russian Federation, through his political and diplomatic work. First he was elected as a deputy of the State Duma – the lower house of Russian parliament – serving also as the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Physical Education, Youth and Sport before moving up to the Federation Council of Russia – the upper house – in 2007.





Off the top of my head

[topcat]

Of course we're a big cub.

[augie]

Seems like some people want to take offence to this question even being asked and point to our history as if to so that it is an absurd question
Instead of reacting that way how about answering these questions -

1. What is the boards ambitions at the start of every season ? If you answer honestly then I think you would say that their main objective is to finish top 4 so for me that suggests us not being a top club cos top clubs aim to win trophies as their main objective

2. Does european clubs and foreign players view us as a top club ? Again evidence would suggest not as we frequently see our better players cherry picked by other clubs and we dont have the same attraction when it comes to recruiting players now either

3. Do sponsors view us as a top club ? Compare our sponsorship deals with that of our rivals and you will see a vast difference. Yes a certain amount can be attributed to the cash up front deals when the grove money was needed but we still do not have the sponsorship attraction other clubs do and that will be shown up next year when the nike deal is re-negotiated

We have a very big fanbase so from that point of view we are indeed a top club. We have a glorious history which is only bettered domestically by the red mancs and scousers so that too suggests a big club standing. However history alone doesnt cut it or else clubs like forest (2 european cups) and villa (1 european cup) would be classed as top clubs when clearly they aint. I would say that we have without a doubt the potential to be a huge club but being a big club is not decided purely on a team basis.....I would say it has as much to do with a mindset and a strategy in a club and sadly we run our club like a coca cola championship club

[LyusN1]

Of course we're a big cub.