Source: Team_Talk
Gazidis vows to keep moving forward
Chief executive Ivan Gazidis maintains Arsenal's self-sustaining business model is on track - but vowed the club would not be standing still.[LNB] Last month, the Gunners' parent holding company announced record pre-tax profits of £56million and increased group turnover of £379.9million, while also seeing all the debt on their Highbury Square development paid off.[LNB]Addressing this morning's annual general meeting of shareholders at the Emirates Stadium, Gazidis pledged any profit from further property sales would be ploughed back into the squad - with the only outstanding debt now tied into the long-term mortgage on their 60,000-seater ground, which opened in July 2006.[LNB]"This is a challenging path to tread," he told the AGM, "but we have earned our independence.[LNB]"We do not have to rely on anybody but ourselves for future success.[LNB]"However, we have to keep moving forwards - standing still is never an option."[LNB]Members of the Arsenal Supporters Trust 'fanshare' initiative were also present at this morning's gathering at Emirates Stadium, along with American majority stakeholder Stan Kroenke.[LNB]Manager Arsene Wenger - who takes his side to title rivals Manchester City on Sunday - was set to address the AGM, having last year vowed his youngsters would finally deliver a first trophy since the 2005 FA Cup.[LNB]Chairman Peter Hill-Wood maintained the board had always backed Wenger in the transfer market, when the Arsenal manager felt it was right to spend.[LNB]The Gunners boss, however, once again insisted his young side were on the cusp of greatness.[LNB]"It will be a huge achievement for me to make you happy. Hopefully for this season and seasons to come," said Wenger, who recently signed a contract extension.[LNB]"I promise we will give our absolute best to achieve it[LNB]"I see a real opportunity to have great achievements this season - we have the spirit, talent, hunger and desire.[LNB]"I do not say there are no weaknesses, we are conscious of that, but we work very hard."[LNB]Wenger added: "We are fans, we love the club, we want to get higher than last year.[LNB]"The only way we can do this is to trust the players and get behind them.[LNB]"They have great potential, but we live in a very fragile business, where it is very difficult to be consistent.[LNB]"What we want now is to get that little bit extra which makes us winners - and we are ready for it.[LNB]"We will go for every single competition this season with every resources we have and we will give absolutely everything."
