Arsenal AGM

Starts momentarily.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-agm-live-blog-get-all-the-key-1398611

AGM starting (I'm at home with the flu believe it or not, so I'm not at work and I'm able to cover all of this via twitter)

I have to go at 3 so i can catch it as well

Great news RG.

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Gazidis: "all of our emotions are raw,but agm is time to take stock of position of club with perspective.... And repeat our ambition"

i hate the word ambition

RealGunner wrote:i hate the word ambition

Same here & specially when it comes from Gazidis or Wenger.

Gazidis"I am no doubt that we will return the club to winning trophies and new heights. We will achieve if we stand together and be brave"

"Finishing in top four and CL participation are taken for granted by some so they are not even regarded as achievements anymore."

"Being 6th (biggest club) across Europe is now taken for granted."

Gazidis says "within 2 years" Arsenal will have financial resources to compete with success of rival clubs

"I believe we can take this club back to winning trophies. Standing together we can make Arsenal one of leading clubs in world'

Gazidis says only 2 season ticket price increases in 7 years - only in line with inflation

"Approach is not based on supply and demand,but to see what we need as a business but also to price to allow people to see our game."

Stat: Arsenal have failed to score in 4 of their first 12 games in all competitions for the first time since 1998-99, when they finished 2nd.

Shareholder to Gazidis: "I don’t agree with you. You are ruining the club. You sell our best players and then expect fans to pay for it."

Gazidis: 'Our target is not profit, it's to have success on the pitch.'

Gazidis says afc did not what to sell RvP and did not do it for FFP.

"environment of player wages going through roof. we need to do something about it"

“We certainly do make the money we do have available for reinvestment in the team” but says doesn’t mean will be in every window."

"Transfers are not a supermarket" <

"keep powder dry and sign players the manager wants and believes in"

Gazidis: "Often you’re faced with the choice to buy someone who’s not top quality or to keep your powder dry [and wait for next window]..."

Gazidis: "Wenger has done a fabulous job keeping us at the top."

Gazidis "Transfer market is very lumpy … you’re looking at one or two targets per position, then you have contractual issues..."

getting heated in there apparently

Then why are you talking ambitions mr Gazidis? Lets just face it we are not the club we used to be. Arsenal more like selling club than winning club.

Gazidis: "we are very attractive to commercial partners"

"we have a strong commercial group,underpinned by tours last 2 summers to asia"

Kroenke: "We [KSE] have record in sports round world. We've never put any debt on this club. We've never said money is not to be spent"

Gazidis: "We have taken an approach of optimistic scepticism..." Says FFP is the clubs' initiative, thus he thinks it'll be adhered to.

djoe26 wrote:Then why are you talking ambitions mr Gazidis? Lets just face it we are not the club we used to be. Arsenal more like selling club than winning club.

Well you can't just accept being a smaller power than you used to be, you need the ambition to restore your former pride .

Gazidis says even if Uefa's FFP regulations fall short, PL clubs will have a "second layer of protection" i.e. PL break-even rules are close

Gazidis stresses need for 'fan engagement' and says Stan Kroenke has met with fans. To be fair, Gazidis does. Note to board: don't send PHW

Kroenke being shouted down as he attempts to answer - "I was trying to respond" @timpayton from floor says he's not meeting promises to fans

Kroenke: "I'm surprised @timpayton would step up and make a statement because I've met him numerous times"

Getting fiery in there.

Kroenke says he has spoken to fan groups. He’s asked to name them. He can’t.

Hill-Wood says he doesn’t know if Red and White have been in touch lately or not. Heckles from floor: "What are you paid for then?"

Gazidis says Kroenke has met with lots of supporters groups. Lots of people shouting "Who?"

Gazidis says conflict between the board and Red&White is "overstated". Says their last letter said they're not seeking a place on the board.

John Cross twitter: "Another AST member Nigel Phillips questioning the club/RvP ambition. This is by far and away the ugliest, rowdiest AGM I've attended."

"Kroenke says he has spoken to fan groups. He’s asked to name them. He can’t."

Wenger speaking now..

"Sorry for last night"

"I used to say to the players' job is not to talk, but to produce performances, so I am not very comfortable today to speak to you."

"'Id like to publicly thank Pat Rice' for 16 years of service."

"I understand the frustration but it's important not to go overboard..." Cites 43 game unbeaten home run in Champions League.

"If you think it is devastating finishing 3rd, i wont be here when club finish 15th. Lost players from injury."

"This team can deliver and I'm personally optimistic we will have a good season. My job is not finances its to deliver a team."

"We hit the wall in the last two games in a little bit un-explainable way"

"I wouldn't be proud to take my wages at the end of the month just because somebody puts a cheque in."

"It’s important that 60-80% team comes from our own ranks. We produce England national team players."

"Qualifying for the Champions League is a bigger 'trophy' than winning the FA Cup."

"For me there are five trophies: PL, CL,the third is to qualify for the CL, the 4th is the FA Cup and the fifth in the League Cup."

'I'm sure we can count on you (fans) for rest of season. If at end of season, you're not happy then I'm happy to meet you'

I won't be here when the club finishes fifteenth?

Sorry, didn't get that..

He means he wouldn't be in the job if Arsenal finished 15th. i.e resign

Wenger is saving the day for the Board once again, like last year. The board was getting shat over by the fans

They are now applauding Wenger lol

beatrixasdfghjk. wrote:

djoe26 wrote:Then why are you talking ambitions mr Gazidis? Lets just face it we are not the club we used to be. Arsenal more like selling club than winning club.

Well you can't just accept being a smaller power than you used to be, you need the ambition to restore your former pride .

He hasnt done anything ambitious apart from selling our best players every season. If it wasnt for Wenger i dont know where Arsenal would've been.

Arsenal fans raises unhappiness to Gazidis that it costs £13.90 for fish & chips at Emirates...

Q. What criteria were used in awarding the CEO his wages and bonus?

PHW isn't giving any criteria. Says the bonuses are "fair" for "an extremely good year".

Losing to Sunderland in FA Cup and 4-0 in Milan that'd be.

Wenger: "A new player doesn't want to know if you've won League Cup."

Samuelj29060 wrote:Arsenal fans raises unhappiness to Gazidis that it costs £13.90 for fish & chips at Emirates...

Q. What criteria were used in awarding the CEO his wages and bonus?

PHW isn't giving any criteria. Says the bonuses are "fair" for "an extremely good year".

Losing to Sunderland in FA Cup and 4-0 in Milan that'd be.

He means 40 million made from RvP and Song sales.

And the installment cash coming in from Cesc sale, one might add.

PHW: 'Ivan and ken friar both extremely valuable... Bonuses fair reward for extremely good year'

Is this man serious?

Arsene Wenger says qualifying for the Champions League is winning a trophy



Stop saying that Arsene... please.