Following today’s offical announcement of a record kit deal between Arsenal and Puma, estimated to be in the region of £30m/yr, the positive news was offset somewhat by the Planning Inspector‘s decision that extra concerts would not be allowed at The Emirates Stadium.
The sole kit sponsor deal will start in July 2014. Puma already has deals with the Italian Football Federation, Borussia Dortmund, Olivier Giroud and Cesc Fabregas.
Speaking on the Sunday Supplement, The Independent\’s Sam Wallace pointed out that it would add more firepower to Arsenal, particularly in relation to Financial Fair Play in what was described as an ‘arms race\’ for top players.
Earlier in the programme it was pointed out that Arsenal were in the £5m- £15m player category, but are now in the £30m plus bracket. And that spending £30m plus on young player such as Draxler represented a risk, but a risk worth taking.
In terms of the concerts, the original planning conditions for the stadium (covered by ANR) stipulated a maximum of three concerts.
The Planning Inspector Mr Smith backed Islington Council\’s decision last year not to increase the concerts to six.
He cited negative effects the increase would have on the living conditions of nearby residents with particular reference to noise, disturbance and transport, and said these outweighed economic benefits to Islington.
It was argued that these considerations “far outweighed” the economic benefits to the borough.
Mr Smith also threw out Arsenal’s claim that it needed the money from the concerts to compete at the highest level.
“If the club is unable to pay the salaries of the top players and retain them that would be a matter of regret to its supporters as on-field success would be less likely to materialise. However, although no concerts are currently scheduled this did not prevent it from spending some £42 million to acquire the services of Mesut Özil.
“More to the point, little weight can be given to the fortunes of Arsenal Football Club as a material planning consideration especially as there is no firm indication that its community programme would have to be scrapped should the appeal be unsuccessful.â€
Arsenal are said to be considering their options.