England

Gazidis: Arsenal Believe In Building A Team, Not Buying One

CEO offers support to the Wenger way.

Nov 29, 2009 3:50:40 AM

Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis insists the north London club will continue with their ambitious project of forging a winning team, rather than flashing the big bucks to lure stars to London.

The Gunners play host to Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium, and then face moneybags Manchester City in the League Cup. The CEO took a dig at the two clubs, claiming the north London club will continue to develop their youth and bring them up the ranks, instead of wielding the wallet and bringing the big names.

"We believe that success which is built is more significant, more meaningful and ultimately more important than success which is bought," Gazidis is quoted by the News of the World as saying.

"What we are trying to achieve here is not easy but we're trying to build something special. We have players who have a connection with the club and the fans, who have been together as a group and grown up as a group.

"We spend what we earn, we don't pay dividends, we reinvest it all.

"And when success comes - when that trophy comes - it will mean something very special to our fans and something very special to that group of players."

The transfer policy may be subject to change if the boardroom battle between Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov ends with the latter assuming control of affairs at the club, but Gazidis remains loyal to the Wenger way.

"We're very well placed," he said.

"We have a very young team on average on the pitch.

"As we look at how this group of players develop we're very excited about what the next four or five years could hold.

He added: "Are we better equipped than last year? Yes. We have signed two very important players in Andriy Arshavin and Thomas Vermaelen.

"In addition other players have grown and some players have come back from long-term injuries in Eduardo and Tomas Rosicky. We have extraordinary depth in a squad full of talented players."

Adithya Ananth, Goal.com UK

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Gazidis: Arsenal Believe In Building A Team, Not Buying One

CEO offers support to the Wenger way.

Nov 29, 2009 3:50:40 AM

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