Garlick: Arsenal don’t need to sell, but won’t rule out homegrown departures
Chief executive Richard Garlick says Arsenal remain committed to operating within football’s squad cost ratio rules, but has played down suggestions the club are under pressure to sell players before making further additions this summer, insisting it’s simply a matter of “good housekeeping”.
The Gunners have already invested close to €170 million on Piero Hincapie, Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes, prompting widespread speculation that player sales will be needed before Arsenal return to the market. So far, the departures of Jakub Kiwior, Karl Hein, Leandro Trossard and Christian Norgaard have generated around €46 million in fees, leaving Arsenal some way short of recouping this summer’s outlay.
Under UEFA’s squad cost ratio rules, clubs competing in European competition can spend no more than 70 per cent of their football-related revenue on player and manager wages, transfer fee amortisation and agents’ fees. The regulations are designed to encourage sustainable spending, meaning clubs must balance investment in the squad with the income they generate.
Against that backdrop, there has been no shortage of speculation over who might leave north London before the transfer window closes. Fringe players such as Gabriel Jesus, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira are all expected to move on, while homegrown pair Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also found themselves linked with potential departures.
Gabriel Martinelli’s future has also come under the spotlight after reports of interest from Turkey. While the Brazilian is understood to have no desire to leave, and suggestions Arsenal actively shopped him around have been firmly batted away, it serves as a reminder that very few members of Arteta’s squad are entirely immune from transfer speculation when significant fees are involved.
Asked by BBC Sport on the eve of the new season whether Arsenal needed to make further sales, Garlick was keen to dampen the growing narrative.
He explained: “We will always aim to be compliant with whatever rules we need to comply with. Obviously the Premier League have changed their squad cost ratio rules this year, but for us, being compliant with UEFA and their 70% threshold is something we will always look to work to.
“Every club now has adopted a player trading model. I think the way in which football is, and the fees involved, it makes sense for you to trade players and to generate revenue through those sales. I wouldn’t say [selling this summer] is a necessity, but it’s a matter of good housekeeping that you do look at those opportunities when they arise, as long as they are right for the club, then that’s something that we will explore.”
Speculation surrounding Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri has perhaps caused the greatest surprise among supporters, particularly given Arsenal’s pride in developing academy talent and integrating it into the first team.
Despite links with Manchester United and Chelsea, Lewis-Skelly has made it clear he remains fully focused on Arsenal, especially after being given the opportunity to establish himself in midfield. Nwaneri’s situation is rather less certain. Following last season’s loan spell at Marseille, his route into Arteta’s first-team plans appears no clearer, leading to suggestions another loan or even a permanent move could be on the cards.
Quizzed on the futures of the two Hale End graduates, Garlick said: “We obviously believe in our academy, we’ve been very successful in the players that have come through, Myles and Ethan being two of those who’ve come through.
“Everybody loves to see those homegrown players pulling on the shirt and contributing to the success of the team. It’s not something that we aim for – selling only homegrown players.
“As I said, trading players is something that comes up all the time. There’s been a lot of speculation around players, I can’t stop other clubs being interested in our players.
He added: “I think, certainly, Myles has had a fantastic end to last season and he’s started the season really well, and we’re very, very happy with him. Ethan has had a great pre-season as well, and it’s just a case of looking at what opportunities there are that are going to help both of them in their careers moving forward.
“We’re not actively looking at selling those homegrown players, but as I say, if the right opportunity came up, and it was right for them and right for the club, we’d obviously consider that.”
Hmm. A penny for the thoughts of Myles and Ethan after that response.
While the ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of Vinicius Junior briefly had Arsenal supporters dreaming of a genuine Galactico arrival, the reports that have since emerged suggest a deal of that magnitude would almost certainly have required significant player sales.
If that’s the benchmark for another marquee signing or two before the window closes, it stands to reason that any major incoming could well be accompanied by an outgoing that proves far less popular.
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