Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham explains the club's January transfer plans - 'If it makes sense, we'll do it'
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Published 12/01/2023 at 14:50 GMT
Arsenal's CEO Vinai Venkatesham kept a tight lip on who the club could sign this January but has explained that the board will only look for players that make sense for their long-term future. Venkatesham also discussed the reasoning behind their success this season, how they will continue to build revenue and invest on the pitch, and the new look at the Emirates Stadium.
'If it makes sense, we will do it' - Arsenal chief Venkatesham on January transfer plans
Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham says that with the transfer window open, the club will evaluate at their long-term plan and look to sign players that "make sense".
In a special interview with CNN's Richard Quest, Venkatesham predictably did not discuss who Mikel Arteta may be looking to sign in the January transfer window, saying: "You will not be surprised to hear that I am not going to talk about individual players, but of course, we are in a transfer window at the moment.
"In terms of the transfer window... and what makes sense, it's always the same equation. Can we find a player that we think is really adding something to the squad? And can we find a player where we think the price of that player makes sense? When those two things make sense, then we'll make a move. When something doesn't make sense, we need to be patient.
"Edu Gaspar, our sporting director, has a long-term plan around how we want to strengthen our squad, and whenever a transfer window is open, there is an opportunity for us. And, of course, when a transfer window is open, we're always looking for an opportunity that makes sense for us.
"If an opportunity makes sense for us, we will do it. And January is no different from any other transfer window."
Arsenal are currently top of the Premier League, with 44 points from 17 matches played. Should they go on to win the title, it will be their first since their Invincible season in 2003/04, which saw them accumulate 90 points in 38 games under the guidance of Arsene Wenger.
Venkatesham explained that Arsenal's success on the pitch only leads to more revenue, which allows them to invest even more into their club.
"We've had a great start to the season. We're only halfway through. We'll take each game as it comes, stay humble, and see what we can do. Try to win every game as we go.
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"We have multiple revenue streams. We always have our broadcast revenue stream, we have our matchday [revenue] and we also have our commercial revenue stream. So of course, we need to drive our revenues forward across the board.
"We drive more revenue, we invest on the pitch, we're more successful on the pitch, and then we can drive more revenue.
"The challenge remains the same. It's to continue to grow the size of our business so we can invest more on the football side: to give ourselves the best chance of being successful on the pitch, [and] for fulfilling our objectives, which are to compete for the biggest trophies in the game."
The CEO also took time to explain what has changed for Arsenal this season. Over the last two decades, the club has slowly slipped away from their regular position of title challengers, a feat that has all of a sudden changed this season.
"I think there is momentum at this football club, on and off the pitch. On the pitch, our men's team are, of course, doing really well. Our women's team are doing fantastically well. Our academy continues to promote players into our first team. I think it's the combination of factors. I think right at the heart of it... has been that connection and the strengthening of the connection that we have with our fans."
Venkatesham also briefly spoke about the European Super League, saying: "As far as we're concerned, the Super League is in the past. It was something we apologised for, and we've moved on from. And in terms of the Super League going forward, it's not something we're interested in."
Part of Arsenal's initiatives off the pitch has been revamping the stadium, with the club unveiling new artwork that is now featured on the side of the Emirates Stadium.
"The genesis of this project is all from our fans. Our fans told us that they felt it was time not only to replace the banners, the eight banners on the outside of the Emirates Stadium, but to change them entirely.
"We have run a massive consultation process involving more than 100 supporters, ex-players, ex-players' families, [and] members of the community to redesign these banners.
"The Emirates Stadium is already iconic, and we're going to have eight new pieces of art hanging from it, completely changing what the stadium looks like and changing what the north London skyline looks like.
"And the reason we've done it is all in response to fan feedback. They wanted us to make the change, and we involved them in the process to make the change. And today, we're launching these banners right in the heart of Islington, and the fan reaction so far has been fantastic, which is great to see."
Arsenal will continue their title charge with a trip to their north London rivals, Tottenham, on Sunday before hosting Manchester United at their newly-decorated stadium.
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