Opinion: Arsenal failed to act like a big club when it mattered most

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·2 September 2025

Opinion: Arsenal failed to act like a big club when it mattered most

To be a big club you act like a big club.

In January there was a divide returning to our fanbase. Many could not believe that our own manager was saying our attack needed help yet was ignored. It was the equivalent of waving the white flag halfway through a season.

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From a PR point of view the Kroenke Family were always going to invest this summer after a net spend of around £15 million in the last three windows. There is only so long you can charge your customers some of the most expensive tickets until they realise the money they are putting in is not being matched the other way around.

I pleaded with my peers not to fall for this trick. Spending now does not make the winter window okay. It does not make up for the regression since Stan Kroenke first joined the board in 2008. You would not applaud a chef for finally cooking a steak properly after giving other customers food poisoning. You are not going to thank your broadband provider if your Wi-Fi finally works after buffering for weeks. An Uber driver might get you to your destination, but he or she has let you down if they got lost and caused you to be late.

In Costa Coffee I assume they have coffee, in KFC I expect them to have chicken. That is not doing a great job, just simply doing what is expected of you in your profession. In other words, a billionaire is not doing you a favour for fulfilling his promise once in a while, especially considering how much he charges you to follow a company that is failing to meet its targets. Just like we will not tolerate limited spending in a year’s time because our owners want to recoup the money spent this window. Do not be shocked if that happens.

The dangers of standing still

Of course, we cannot change the past, only learn from it. Yet it is an example of the dangers of standing still. We all hope this more serious transfer strategy is a permanent change of ambition in North London, but just imagine if Edu had been trusted 12 months ago with the war chest Andrea Berta has had.

Instead, while spending over £300 million to catch the champions, not only have our efforts been matched at Anfield, they also got the better striker and midfielder. It is scary in sport that success and failure can be decided by the smallest details. In this instance two billionaires have decided to release major funds at identical times, essentially cancelling each other out.

In a sense that is bad luck, but look deeper and it is not the coincidence you might think. If there was one club in the UK who could have got away with putting their feet up, lighting a cigar and basking in their glory, it would be the Premiership champions. The Fenway Sports Group have instead intentionally tried to improve from a position of strength. That is what Sir Alex Ferguson used to do at Old Trafford. The benefits being not just that you acquire more quality but it keeps a dressing room competitive, ensuring complacency does not creep in.

(Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal missed their chance

It feels like a long time ago now, but a year ago was our time to improve from a position of strength. We had just finished a point behind Man City but instead of taking that final step, we stood still and let the moment pass us by. That might be the difference between the legacy two American businessmen will leave in England. Both watched Man City dominate for a decade, but when the door was left ajar, Arsenal hesitated while Liverpool kicked it down to the point it flew off.

I remember the Gunners losing at home to Aston Villa, a result which meant our destiny was no longer in our own hands in the title race. Paul Merson’s words have since stuck with me: “These players might never be in this position again.” We let the moment pass us by that afternoon, but as a club we have been guilty of doing that for a while.

There are Gooners who think three consecutive 2nd place finishes have any relevance in the future. Football does not work like that. You stand still, you get caught. One day Chelsea will return to previous levels, then Man United. We will then regret not doing more during this time to take advantage.

Because did we do everything possible to be the best we could be? That is all any supporters ask for. We have done that in the last two months, but is it too late? That is what happens when you stand still.

Dan Smith

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