Mr. Wenger or the "Professor" as he is aptly known, started his career as a young boy in France. While playing the beautiful game, he managed to complete a degree in Economics from the University of Strasbourg. Arsene had a brief playing career followed by an interesting bout in various managerial roles. Eventually the Professor landed in North London at Arsenal Football Club. Since 1996 the club and coach have been synonymous with out of the box financial thinking.
Arsene Wenger has guided the Gunners through thick and thin, with his biggest test coming at the beginning of the current season. Many question the seemingly financial prudence for a "top 4 club" in this time of economic splurging in European football. Mr. Wenger has proved that, unlike many of the world's biggest clubs, one can run a team as a viable and profitable business. This is perhaps his greatest feat. Unable or perhaps, unwilling, to spend ludicrously on the world's most talented and expensive players; the Arsenal chief as implemented a system of bargain buys and record sales in the transfer market. Looking at a small sample of these players, one can see the financial returns from player investments are astronomical (Anelka, Henry, Fabregas, Reyes, etc.).
Though this begs the question many of the Gunner faithful have been asking for 6 years now... Can such bargain hunting and money saving bring trophies to the Arsenal cupboards? Well to that I say - Yes!
It has been a long few years since the last Arsenal triumph. However, fans mustn't forget, Arsene did produce championship campaigns in both the Premier League and the FA Cup. Times do change, one only as to look as across London to Chelsea or up north to Liverpool, and either Manchester United or City. All of these teams have spent far more than Arsenal but have had a mixed bag of results. United and Chelsea have certainly won plenty of titles, but City and Liverpool are yet to enjoy the feeling of lifting the Premier League trophy (Liverpool won the Champion's League and City the FA Cup in recent years). The point being, Arsenal has had their fair share of success in the last decade. Teams appear to be tilting back toward the direction of player development rather that opening up the checkbook - to supplement squad needs.
Arsene Wenger has a young, relatively cheap, nucleus of players. This squad has performed spectacularly the last 10 or so games. Players like Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs, and Woj Szczesny all ring a bell. Lest we forget the bargain buys of Robin Van Persie, a resurgent Tomas Rosicky, and Laurent Koscielny to name a few. These players will undoubtedly improve going into next season. Throw in a healthy Jack Wilshere and a few summer recruits, and the Professor has this squad looking really, really good for the future.
Like any type of investment, things take time. Arsene Wenger and Arsenal are bound to skyrocket heading into the future. The Gunners are shooting up the trough and bound to peak for the next few years. The club is in extremely good financial health (the same cannot be said for the likes of United). Arsene Wenger will prove once again, that prudent spending, player development, and a solid economic standing are a recipe for trophies.
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