How do we assess the work of Mr. Gazidis? Do we look at the results on the pitch? Of course not, that is the responsibility of the coaching and playing staff. So, has Gazidis taken Arsenal forward as a commercial venture? The answer must be a solid Yes.
When Ivan arrived The Arsenal we were the 6th biggest (in terms of revenue) football club in the world. Our turnover was ￡265m appr. There followed a decade of Oil money when countries bought and implemented their financial power into European clubs. Where are we now? We are still in 6th spot with a revenue of ￡487m.
This after City, PSG, Juve, etc have been Oiled.
I would say this is a job very well done. The club have expanded both in terms of revenue and staff size yet remain a club with traditional Arsenal values.
Much has been written about the power AW within the club and the inability of Gazidis to reduce his influence But how do you do that when Mr Wenger was already an Arsenal legend when Gazidis arrived? And … Gazidis is answerable to the owners of the club who wanted Wenger to stay.
Was the revolution in the summer of 2018 under the auspices of Gazidis? Surely he knew he would be out of the club before it saw any results. Yet being the gent that he is, nothing was said about the MD leaving as well.
It must be said that Arsenal have not been as successful on the pitch during Ivan’s reign though we have won 3 FAC’s.
One could question his inability to present a more transparent view of the off-pitch transactions. Many complained that he was aloof and refused to answer the questions raised at the AGM’s.
Gazidis has to be judged on the commercial success and value of AFC and in this he has been hugely successful in a time of change. He always attended the games, spoke well about Arsene and the Arsenal, led the club from the front – a very different type of MD to, say Ken Friar.
Ivan has taken on a difficult job in Milan despite the money available. I wish him good luck.
written by Big Raddy
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
A fair and gentle assessment, Raddy. Little less appreciative myself. Politician by nature, soundbites but little ” comments/beliefs from the heart”. Not sure the commercial progress is significant enough in this era of rivers of gold.
Would we still be where we are with Dein in control!
Recognise the difficulties of AW’s power bloc/k but……..In conclusion, having organised the backroom changes, why not stay and bask in the progress. Big money/shares deal on offer, especially when AC are oiled up in a few years. New era, chapter, book now beginning.
Cheers, BR.
I never liked him.
There something a bit slimy about him.
Mind you, if anyone was offered a shedload of cash by Chinese investors plus a dream move to Italy into the bargain, they’d be mad not to go. 🙂
So funny watching the spuds lose and also heart-warming to see Pochettino getting narked by the journos who are usually half way up his backside. 🙂
Just thought I would play Devil’s advocate. It is easy to criticise him but he did well for the club IMO. Could Dein have done better? Almost certainly.
LOL Pochettino. SAF would have banned the journalist for life.
Thanks Raddy. I’ve asked the question “is Gazidis any good” on several occasions … and no one has ever had a strong opinion either way.
I still don’t know how to assess his tenure.
None of us know how influential Josh Kroenke has been in recent changes … but it did all seem to change once he was given his new role (now vice president I believe).
Like chas, I never warmed to IG, his over slick PR response to everything didn’t ring of sincerity but corporate expediency.
Gazidis was maybe just a little chess piece that did what was asked of him. Once the job completed, he left. It is ok – wish him good luck. I am hoping that we get a strong replacement though
Apparently, across the digital social media (whatever that is) AFC have 85 million followers!!
RC78
Looks like the Club is replacing from within.
That saves a few quid!
Apparently, the suggestion that Ivan ‘brought Arsenal to new heights’ is distinctly questionable according to some supporters.
Scaroni: “Ivan Gazidis will bring an unparalleled level of business acumen and football industry experience to the club. He helped establish professional football in the United States; he brought Arsenal to new heights;
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
The only heights that concern me are those achieved on the field of play. He most certainly did not bring Arsenal to new heights on the field. Since his arrival we (AW) won 3 FA Cups.
He was typical of the management types who get their training in the U.S. – the one and only concern is the bottom line. He has left us with a new management structure and personnel who have little or no EPL experience.
I fear for our future as a club – this type of structure leaves too much room for “he said” no “he said” excuses for failure.
It’s now a club that I don’t recognize on or off the field.
Re AC Milan
Chas referenced Chinese owners. Like him, I thought that was the case until an Italian mate put me in the picture during the summer
I won’t copy paste, as it’s too long, but there’s an article in the FT about the shenanigans over in Milan. Basically the owner, Mr Li, probably didn’t have the money and the club is now managed by a very aggressive US Hedge Fund. Their history indicates they won’t hold onto it for more than 18 months, so I suspect IG has been brought in to lick the place into shape before flogging to a Russian Oligargh
“Oligargh” 😀 😀 😀
Have I done bad spells or what?
In fact it’s the Russki who currently owns AS Monaco who’s said to be sniffing around AC
ch on the end by any chance?
Thanks for an interesting topic Raddy. The people who weren’t there can always do better than the ones who were. If only! On the whole he did the job he was supposed to do, as CEO of a multi-million pound company. He made it grow.
One small matter I take issue with – a drum I regularly thump: the suggestion that Arsenal has been unsuccessful while Gazidis has overseen things. There are 92 clubs in the Football League, plus a few who were but are no longer. I would like to ask, how many of them have been more successful in these ten years than Arsenal, in terms of trophies won and position in the league? And of those, how many have been more successful with less money?
Answers on a pinhead if you please!
I was going to ask if he jumped or was he pushed?
Are the Chinese backers with shed loads of money to sped or does it seem he just wants a change?
I don’t quite get it.
I fancy a game tonight…mmmm, Madrid Rome, or, Valencia Juve???
I’m leaning toward the former
And what Chinese are those LB? 🙄
Micky
I was just running with what Chas said earlier today.
I still don’t understand what was his motivation to leave?
I feel I am missing something obvious
Maxwell,
While Gavidis was with us we won 3 FA Cups.
In the same period of time – pre Gavidis, we won 3 EPL titles and 4 FA Cups and 2 doubles and missed out on a CL trophy courtesy of an offside goal. No need to compare to other teams – just look at our own performance.
If our finances improved during his era it worsened – not improved our on field achievements.
Looks like I’m blaming Gavadis – which I’m not – but I don’t feel he needs praise for enriching the Kronke family coffers.
I apologise for passing on dodgy info about the owners of Meelan. I wasn’t aware it had changed hands again after Berlusconi sold it.
The song remains the same though…. Gazidis is going because he’s been offered shed loads of dosh (even compared to the monstrous amounts he was on at Arsenal).
Boos at the Emptihad.
Lovely.
Ok, I get it. So Meelan need to shake things up, the board notice that Arsenal have just put a brand new exciting organization in place, what we be he easiest way of steeling it? Make Gazidis an offer he cannot refuse in the hope or with the intention of stealing the rest as and when they want them. And why stop there when they can cherry pick from our squad?
Ramsey to AC?
.
.
Morning All
7,34 is a 😱 moment.
Back to Gazidis. It is rare for any top businessman to stay in a position for 10 years, they seem to move about on a regular basis.
Perhaps Gazidis has just made a “career” move to a wonderful city and an interesting club.
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