Arsenal and Manchester City keep their conflict off the field in a collision of football financial giants. According to the most recent report from the football industry, the conflict between these two teams remains severe as their financial supporters are still at conflict.
Manchester City has dominated the field over the previous two Premier League seasons; it won the championship in the seasons 2022-23 and 2023-24. City has benefited greatly financially from its on-field performance. Their yearly sponsorship and merchandising income comes to £344 million, over double Arsenal’s £173 million in commercial revenues. With their contract with Etihad, valued at £67.5 million annually, City boasts the largest financial gain. This agreement addresses front-of-shirt branding as well as stadium and training facility name rights.
Arsenal Will Fight With Manchester City “On A £40m Off-pitch Deal”
Conversely, Arsenal’s long-standing partnership with Emirates helps to support their commercial income. This deal, which has been a mainstay of football for years, brings Arsenal £50 million annually. From the United Arab Emirates, under ownership by competing sovereign wealth funds from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, both Emirates and Etihad hail. This rivalry also exists in the business sphere, feeding their footballing competitiveness’s flames.
Their second since 2015, City has had unprecedented trebles and an FA Cup triumph. The sponsorship of the FA Cup by Emirates has caused controversy as City won’t show the Emirates FA Cup logo on their jerseys out of conflict with Etihad. Rangers have similarly refrained from showing logos from competing sponsors.
With a contract of £10 million yearly, the FA has extended its relationship with Emirates for another four years, therefore totalling £40 million. This addition just widens the commercial gulf between Arsenal and City. It is obvious as the argument rages on that the financial and footballing conflicts between Arsenal and Manchester City will continue to define English football for many years to come.
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Corriere dello Sport claims Arsenal has joined the hunt to acquire Serie A player Victor Osimhen. This action corresponds with the recent purchase of Bologna’s defender Riccardo Calafiori. The Gunners also find Mikel Merino of Real Sociedad appealing. Osimhen may, however, become their star signing. The Gunners must contend with fierce rivalry for Osimhen. For weeks Paris Saint-Germain has been talking with Napoli proposing £76 million, which Napoli turned down. Chelsea tried a part-exchange arrangement with Romelu Lukaku, but Osimhen expressed little desire in joining them. Long-time fans Arsenal seems to be in a stronger position to get his signature.
One of the most sought-after strikers, Osimhen brings questions. Having missed 15 games last season and 67 games since joining Napoli in 2020, his injury record is alarming. Already coping with Gabriel Jesus’s injury issues, Arsenal should exercise caution while aggressively investing in Osimhen. Napoli requests more than £84 million; club president Aurelio De Laurentiis would want a payment more in line with the £110 million release clause in Osimhen’s contract.
Arsenal should refrain from splurging on Osimhen given his ability. Last December, Jose Mourinho termed him “world-class,” but his injury record raises concerns. Although Osimhen scored 17 goals in previous season, Arsenal needs a more dependable attacker to challenge for the league championship. One may also consider Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon. In his first season, the Swede scored 43 goals and boasts perfect health; he never missed a club game because of injuries. Gyokeres also shines in ball possession and opportunity generation; he registers 15 assists to Osimhen’s four last season.
