According to a recently released report by UEFA, Arsenal are The best in terms of tangible fixed assets with the governing body valuing the club’s long-term assets at over €500 million (£422m).
UEFA carried out an audit of all 237 clubs competing in this season’s Champions League and Europa League for its report in line with Financial Fair Play regulations.
The benefits of stadium ownership are plainly spelt out in the report with those clubs who own their stadiums better prepared for the implications of FFP.
Only 21% of the clubs assessed own their stadium with Arsenal’s spectacular Emirates Stadium seeing them lead the way in this category.
UCL/UEL RANK | UEFA RANK | CLUB | COUNTRY | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
1 | 1 | Arsenal | England | €500m+ |
2 | 2 | Real Madrid | Spain | |
3 | 3 | Man United | England | |
4 | 4 | Valencia | Spain | |
5 | 5 | Bayern Munich | Germany | |
6 | 6 | Manchester City | England | |
7 | 7 | FC Dnipro | Ukraine | |
8 | 8 | Tottenham | England | |
9 | 9 | Chelsea | England | €200m+ |
10 | 10 | Borussia Dortmund | Germany | €100m+ |
UEFA said in the report; “Clubs owning their own stadium generated 23% and 11% of their total revenue from gate receipts and commercial activities compared to just 14% and 7% for those clubs who rent/lease their stadium.”
UEFA has in recent times frowned at the fiscal recklessness of clubs that spend money above their revenue and has laid down a blueprint document known as the Football Financial Fair Play rules (FFFP) aimed at checking these excesses with a view to punish erring clubs by points deductions and fines.
Without doubt, the Arsenal’s healthy financial status can be attributed to the economic nous of Arsene Wenger, the long-suffering manager of the team. Taking the flak from fans and pundits alike for being responsible for the club’s dusty trophy cabinet due to his perceived unwillingness to buy world class players, he has shrewdly supervised the building of the 60, 000 capacity Emirates Stadium, a project worth about £600m.
Ordinarily, the club’s finances and on- the- field fortunes would have gone into a tailspin but he has continuously led the club to a fourth place finish in the Barclays Premier League; the minimum requirement to participate in the lucrative UEFA Champions League.
With the debts accruing from building the Stadium cleared and a raft of unproductive players cleared from the club’s books, thereby freeing up money, the mood around the club is upbeat and the way from here seems to be full speed ahead.
