adminLONDON. — English Premier League soccer leaders Arsenal are prepared to spend more on their squad after the record signing of German playmaker Mesut Ozil, the club’s chairman said on Monday.
The arrival of Ozil for £42,5 million at the start of the month has lifted the mood among supporters angry at the departure of striker Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas over the past two years.
Arsenal have not won a trophy since 2005 and some fans of the north London club had questioned the club’s ambition under Stan Kroenke, the American sports entrepreneur who is its majority shareholder.
Chips Keswick, who became Arsenal chairman in June, said manager Arsene Wenger would be given more money to spend as he reported another season of financial profit off the pitch.
“With the Ozil transfer I believe we have made a significant statement and when Arsene decides the time is right to invest again, Stan Kroenke, myself and the rest of the board will be delighted to support him,” Keswick said in a statement.
Keswick said Arsenal would stick to their principles of running a financially sustainable club and developing young players, but said their ambition should not be questioned.
“We have a controlling owner in Stan Kroenke and a board which is united in our resolve to keep Arsenal Football Club at the pinnacle of the game both here and in Europe.”
The sale of striker Van Persie to Manchester United helped Arsenal remain in profit in 2012-13. On the pitch, United won a record 20th English league title, helped by 26 goals from Dutchman Van Persie.
Arsenal finished fourth to clinch a spot in the lucrative Champions League for a 16th successive season.
Profit before tax was £6,7 million in the year to the end of May, down from £36,6 million a year earlier, Arsenal said.
The club made a £47 million profit on the sale of Van Persie and Alex Song, the midfielder who moved to Barcelona.
However, the club said it had invested £58,7 million on buying new players and extending contracts, before the additional spending on Ozil.
Arsenal currently lead the English Premier League on goal difference from arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Meanwhile, Mathieu Flamini believes Arsenal’s record signing Mesut Ozil could make all the difference as the club try to end a barren spell without winning a trophy.
Ozil’s impressive start to his Arsenal career continued on Sunday as the play-maker had a hand in all three Arsenal goals in the victory against Stoke.
Despite joining the club in late August, Ozil already has the most assists in the Premier League this season and Flamini believes the German’s quality can help the club land their first piece of silverware since 2005.
“Eight years without winning anything is not easy for anyone, for the fans, for the players, for the club or the coach, but the quality is here. Maybe it was missing just a few things,” said Flamini.
“This year it was important that nobody left and then we got new players with a lot of quality and what is most important is the team spirit.
“We knew Mesut was a big player – he proved it at Madrid. For us, it is a great boost because he is a great player and knows how to make the difference.
“He has great spirit, he is working hard for the team and can make the difference at any moment.”
Arsenal now sit at the top of the English Premier League after putting an opening-day defeat to Aston Villa behind them to take maximum points from their last four games.
Sunday’s victory over Stoke was their seventh straight win in all competitions and Flamini believes team spirit will be key if Arsenal are to continue their recent form and end the season on a high. —Soccernet.
Online Reporter