Source: Team_Talk
Wenger has grounds for optimism
Arsene Wenger believes it would be too easy to blame Arsenal's move to Emirates Stadium for a lack of trophies in the past five seasons.[LNB] Arsenal will today publish their latest set of financial results, which are again expected to show a healthy profit and massive turnover, boosted by increased revenue from the 60,000-seat venue as well as sales from property development at the Gunners old home.[LNB]The Arsenal board have always backed Wenger in the transfer market, with £50million reportedly at the manager's disposal should he want it.[LNB]However, Wenger has long instead opted for developing world-class talent, such as captain Cesc Fabregas, instead of simply buying it in.[LNB]That policy, though, has so far failed to deliver silverware since the 2005 FA Cup, with the last league title being the unbeaten campaign of 2003-04.[LNB]The Gunners boss, however, insists there has been plenty of progress on the field as well as off it.[LNB]"I believe it is never easy to move to a new stadium. The first plan for us was to stay at the top level of competition and we managed that," said Wenger.[LNB]"I believe it is a bit simplistic as well to say that we have no trophies, like the club has not existed in the last five years.[LNB]"If you look at the index of UEFA, we are in the top eight seeded clubs.[LNB]"We have been in the Champions League semi-final and final during that period and we have always managed to play at the top.[LNB]"We have been fighting for championships and didn't win them, for sure, but it is not easy to move to a new stadium.[LNB]"If you look at the other teams that have done that and where they are, you realise that is not easy."
