Arsenal Do Not Need Europe

Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis has said that Arsenal do not need to qualify for the Champions League in order to be competitive next season.

With a less than perfect start to the season, Gazidis has assured fans that the clubs’ business model does not depend on finishing in the top 4 or the money generated from the Champions League competition.

Speaking at the Leaders in Football Conference at Stamford Bridge, he said.

‘We would rather qualify for the Champions League, but we have a really stable model that can cope. And we could not only cope, we could do well and compete.’

Gazidis added that he doesn’t believe any club would be foolish enough to have the business model dependent on a Top 4 finish and he insists the financial side of the club is in good hands and will be able to cope with whatever the economy or the climate throws at it. He also dismissed speculation that the club has a salary cap.

‘We don’t have a salary ceiling, I don’t know where that story comes from. We have a very sophisticated business model that looks at what we need to do to compete today, next year and five years from now. I am comfortable we will be able to be competitive in whatever environment is going to be created.’