‘Arsenal must make a big statement by matching Man City’ – boardroom source
Man City have held the advantage over Arsenal in title races in recent years but it is Mikel Arteta’s side who look set to finish above Pep Guardiola’s serial winners this season.
The English champions are one of several successful top-flight sides, including Brighton and Bournemouth, to be the biggest club in an international network.
Speaking last month, Arteta said Arsenal must explore using a multi-club group as it is giving other top teams an advantage when looking to sign talented teenagers from around the world.
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 – insisted the Spanish boss is right about the Gunners’ next steps as a European superpower.
Arsenal have the chance to build mega multi-club network, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted Arsenal should “make a statement” and follow Man City by establishing a global network.
The boardroom source claimed it is vital for the Gunners to break away from reliance on funding from owner Stan Kroenke.
Kroenke already owns Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids, who Arsenal signed Auston Trusty from in 2022.
Wyness insisted Arsenal “have the chance to do it right” as “a big halo club at the top of the pyramid”.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “There are very few people who have got a multi-club network right.
“The City Group have done the most, but it’s taken them a long, long time to get it right.
“It’s so hard to get a successful situation in place.
“What is important is that you get clubs together that aren’t just a collection of clubs, but they can be complimentary.
“They have to be able to help at different stages of a player’s career or have good youth scouting.
“The must underrated aspect is having people who get on together and speak together.
“They have to like each other and go the extra mile for each other.
“Often the talented players will go to another team in the group, and they have to want to be part of that success.
Liverpool could rival Arsenal for Alexander Isak this summer
“Arsenal have got the chance to do it right. They’re a big halo club and they could be at the top of the pyramid, like Man City.
“That is a key building block to start with.
“I think Arsenal, with time, could produce a really interesting network that could fold in clubs from North America, South America, Australia, and other areas in Asia.
“There’s a lot to be said for it. Arsenal have got to make these statements now and build for the future, rather than rely on Kroenke’s chequebook.”
Football Insider has revealed (16 February) that Liverpool’s interest in Arsenal striker target Alexander Isak is “genuine” and “very strong”.
Isak, 25, is seen as “perfect” for Liverpool by Slot and the club’s recruitment team despite his £100million-plus price tag.
Eddie Howe’s side are well positioned to offer him a Newcastle extension during the summer.
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