‘Arsenal are making big strides’ after record-breaking news confirmed
Arsenal have gone from strength to strength since Mikel Arteta’s appointment in 2019 and are now perennial challengers for the Premier League title.
The Gunners look set to qualify for the Champions League for the third consecutive season but are some way adrift of league leaders Liverpool, who are now well placed to win the title this term.
Revenue reached club-record levels at the Emirates Stadium last season, with the 2023-24 accounts showing a 32.1 per cent increase on the previous year to £616.6million.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has detailed a new “expansion” at Arsenal as the club make a big push off the pitch.
Arsenal ‘make big strides’ in Asia as Tottenham clash planned
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted the Gunners are “making big strides” in Asia as they attempt to build their international fanbase.
The South China Morning Post has reported (22 February) Arsenal are expected to take on Tottenham in Hong Kong ahead of the 2025-26 campaign at the new 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 1 | Liverpool | 28 | 67 | 40 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 27 | 54 | 28 |
| 3 | Nottingham Forest | 27 | 48 | 11 |
Wyness insisted Premier League clubs have to “come up with something special” to maximise the benefit of their overseas fans.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “Arsenal are making big strides, from what I’ve seen, with sponsorships in Asia.
“They’re doing a lot in terms of fan engagement in Asia, so it makes sense to get out there.
“They’ve got a story to tell. They’re looking to develop more youth academies out there.
“Arsenal have a big international expansion in mind, and Asia is a good place to start.
“It’s going to work out well for them out there, consolidating the fan base and growing it.
“All these clubs going out for pre-season have to be clever with how they stimulate interest from the fans.
“Just turning up and playing the games isn’t enough anymore, you have to come up with something special to get them into your database and work on them to make them proper fans.
“It’s an area clubs have got to become really specialist in to manage these international markets.”
Arsenal face devastating Saka blow
The Gunners’ Premier League title challenge may be all but over but they still have a Champions League Round of 16 clash with PSV Eindhoven to come this season.
However, Football Insider has been told Arsenal would be “lucky” if injured superstar Bukayo Saka plays again in the 2024-25 campaign.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have already been ruled out for the season, while Gabriel Martinelli has also been on the treatment table in recent weeks.
Saka had managed nine goals and 13 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions before his injury.
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