13, 38, 4.5 billion may not make sense to you right now, but all will be clear as you read along. There are currently over 4.5 billion active football fans in the world. They tune in each football season to support their favourite team playing in one of the 204 football associations.
However, the English premier league enjoys the greatest following. For ten months each year, 20 elite football clubs compete for three domestic trophies. The premier league is the most lucrative, with prize money reaching hundreds of millions. Among the serial winners are Arsenal Football Club, which boasts 13 titles to their name. Below is a rundown of how they achieved this feat and what is required to get to fourteen.
The unbeatable triumph.
Before the premier league era, Arsenal football club had ten English league titles. Additionally, they have back-to-back wins on two occasions, from 1930-1935 and 1988-1981. Following the influx of cash-rich owners and TV revenue, a rebranding occurred to what you now know as the English premier league. Furthermore, you could import talent globally and build a team of invincibles.
The effects of this were most evident in the 2003-2004 FA premier league. The gunners went on an incredible 49 games without defeat. Rapid passing and precise shooting culminated in a goal return of 73 goals. Additionally, the majority of the top honours went to players from overseas. The perfect mix of continental football talent was the secret sauce that you needed to win the title.
Arsenal football club did this extremely well to earn a place in the UEFA champions league. The talent included players from Africa, South America and other European countries. As a result, there was an increase in viewership, and as an online casino owner, you also saw an increase in betting deposits. However, the joy was not to last. Title number fourteen keeps eluding the team, and it has been seventeen years.
Why is it taking so long?
You are not at fault for posing this question. However, the reasons may vary depending on who you ask. To make it simpler, here is a quick summary of the main factors that most fans agree on:
Loss of key personnel.
Despite generating tons of revenue in merchandising and prize money, Arsenal was still paying to complete their new home, the Emirates Stadium. This meant that Arsenal needed a way to generate extra income to maintain a positive bank balance.
One of the policies that came in place was a wage cap and also selling players. As a result, there was a mass exodus of the key players responsible for the triumph. Top goal scorer Henry moved to Barcelona and wingback Ashely Cole to Chelsea. However, the sale of Viera was the final nail in the coffin. Arsenal is continuing their search for an adequate replacement.
Enter the sugar daddy.
The concept of foreign ownership may not seem new to you at present. But a few decades ago, it was a big deal. English football clubs are pillars of their community and give their supporters an identity. However, fifteen of the clubs currently playing in the premier league have a non-English owner. Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City have seen their transfer war chests receive a significant boost.
Consequently, clubs that were once standard fixtures in the top six find themselves struggling to attract top talent. Arsenal, given their rigid wage caps and transfer policy, end up with slim pickings in the transfer market. The results are evident following their poor showing in the competition ever since.
Managerial uncertainty.
Finally, the departure of Arsene Wenger was a huge blow to the club. The subsequent managers found it difficult to fill the void, with Unai Emery leaving after a year on the job and Freddie Ljungberg soon after. However, the ship seems to be steadying with the current manager. The style of play is reminiscent of the invincible era.
Will the shut-out end?
You should have lots of positive expectations as a current Arsenal fan. Despite not winning the premier league, the club boasts ten trophies. Five FA cups and five community shields is not a bad return by any account. However, for the club to add a fourteenth premier league title, are few things need to change.
For example, loosening the purse strings and a flexible wage structure will attract top talent. The recent acquisitions of Pepe, Aubameyang and Wilian, are sure signs of progression. Furthermore, more patience with the manager will also allow a sense of calm to prevail. Rash manager turnovers can be detrimental to team morale culminating in a poor league showing. Everton football club is evidence of this.
When you look at the club’s current performance, you will notice that the plan is in motion to win England’s top honour. All it needs is time. So, do not lose hope and always keep gunning.