After leading Arsenal to successive 2nd-place finished in the Premier League, it was announced on Thursday that Arteta had signed a deal keeping him at the Emirates until at least 2027.
It is exciting times for the Gunners both on and off the pitch, with Josh Kroenke recently revealing that Arsenal are considering expanding the Emirates Stadium.
There has been nothing concrete on that front just yet, but the very fact that such a massive capital expenditure project is being considered shows how strong a position Arsenal are in financially.
In 2022-23, the last financial year on record, they poste revenue of £467m. In 2023-24, that figure will rise significantly thanks to their return to the lucrative Champions League.
Now, their commercial income – which was £173m at the last count – is also set to rise expeditiously, reflecting their re-arrival as a force in English and European football.
To go into greater depth, TBR Football spoke exclusively to Liverpool University football finance lecturer and Price of Football author Kieran Maguire.
Arsenal could double value of Visit Rwanda sleeve deal
Noises coming from the East African country’s government suggest that Visit Rwanda are keen to renew their deal with Arsenal.
Visit Rwanda currently pay Arsenal £10m for the right to be their sleeve sponsor, but Maguire thinks the Gunners can get double that, citing Chelsea as an example.
“Arsenal will be looking for an uptick in all of its deals.
“The fact Arteta has signed a new three-year contract and that they are now arguably the top team in London after a few years in the shadows means any sponsorship deal be it front-of-shirt or sleeve, is going to attract and enhance the price.
“If Chelsea can get £20m per season from WhaleFin, there is no reason Arsenal can’t get a significant upswing.
“They have additional exposure in the form of participation in the expanded Champions League to offer.
“The Visit Rwanda deal still baffles a lot of people though, it has to be said.”
Arsenal on track to smash commercial record
As well as a potentially improved contract with Visit Rwanda, Arsenal have also a lucrative new training ground naming rights
deal with Sobha Realty and now a £12m data deal with NTT DATA.
The whole commercial picture makes for pleasing reading, says Maguire, and Arsenal will likely demolish their existing record for commercial income when they release their 2024-24 accounts.
“Arsenal’s commercial income of £173m in season 2022-23 given that they were not a Champions League club that season should be improved upon in 2023-24 and again in 2024-25.
“However, it must be said that Arsenal have lost their way in terms of commercial income and growth.
“The fact they are behind both Chelsea and Spurs in this regard would have surprised many people 10 years ago given that they were seen as the Bank of England club.
“Something has gone wrong in terms of the ability of the club to grow off the pitch in terms of commercial income.
“But with a manager with a new contract and an exciting playing style, there are still many positives.
“London is still the place to be in terms of football. Perhaps Arsenal can benefit from this and should be aiming for around £200m to £220m for 2024-25.”
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