Springsteen Not The Only Boss At The Grove This Week
May 27th, 2008 by 'holic
The American rocker may be the headline act at Ashburton this week, but it would be remiss of me not to comment on the Danny Fiszman interview on Arsenal TV.
Fiszman has not previously given the impression of being comfortable in the limelight, which is unfortunate. I have to say, possibly as a result of the way the interview has been cut, he appears to be a very competent and persuasive individual, who has demonstrated his control of the club.
The interview shows a confident side to him that may well send signals to those who have greater designs for the future of Arsenal. He does not shy from difficult questions, and explains the financial situation, and the future direction of Arsenal with clarity and purpose.
Some of the wording is more than interesting. Repayments of the stadium debt are just a third of the increase in annual gate revenue over Highbury. Yes, he was specific about it being the increase, and not the total gate revenue at the Grove. Of course the income is subject to greater draining as well. There is the property side to consider, the larger staff, the increased operating costs, but the message is clear. Money is available to the manager.
The boardroom is set to be bolstered by a new ‘tracksuited’ Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. Am I reading too much into the ‘Americanisation’, or should I say ‘globalisation’ suggested by those terms? I think perhaps not.
There is a clear, and welcome, shot across the bows of Red and White, the Usmanov vehicle. “We don’t believe in the benefactor model”. Amen to that. “The self-sustaining model is the right one, the one that we will continue adopting”.
Overall one comes away more confident in the immediate future of the club. I was not alone in being fearful when Fiszman appeared to be setting up camp in Switzerland in the aftermath of the Dein departure. The events of recent weeks have demonstrated his value to, and dare I say again, control of, Arsenal Football Club.
I’d like to see just a little more passion about the ‘Arsenal’ name when he speaks. He is perhaps a little too business-like for me, but that is why he is very much in charge, and I am just a devoted observer.
16 Responses to “Springsteen Not The Only Boss At The Grove This Week”
That first drink has got to be mine!
but that is why is why he is very much in charge
Is double-arseing getting to you there?
You call that a drink?
Well said ‘holic and nicely put, keep up the good work.
Ollie, I am going to call a meeting of Arsenal bloggers to agree an increase in your sub-editing fee. I will propose four times at least what we pay you now as a mark of our gratitude.
😉
Arsene and Danny make quite a team ‘holic. Well done son. Do you get the feeling the CEO wll be Arsene’s man, and the CFO will be American-approved?
Hi, Goonerholic.
I haven’t commented before, but I always enjoy reading your blogs.
I was impressed by the Fiszman interview as well – some Gooners don’t appreciate how lucky we are with the Arsenal Board. Let’s hope we get the new CFO and CEO in soon. Shame about Karren Brady. That would have been an inspired appointment.
I think the only person wearing the tracksuit will be Arsene. From my take on the interview, the new CEO & CFO will be both be strictly suited and booted. CEO a pseudo Dein (hopefully without the ego and self-interest) and the CFO a pseudo Edelman (keeping the financial acumen which Danny recognises served has served us well with the refinancing of the stadium debt).
Please, don’t kiss-ass! I like your blog very much, but Fiszman is just a speculative, selfish, snob, who milks the club and everything around it. Ever heard of Diamond Club anyone?
interesting blog there ‘holic, very nicely done.
now all we need is Fizman’s eyes to start welling up everytime he hears the word ‘Arsenal’ and we”ll all be happy 😉
who mentioned something about a drink?
I still dont understand why people knock Dein, to me he is Arsenal through and through and from what I see and gather Wenger thinks the same. Why cant we have him back, and dont come out with the Russian baloney again, there is not much difference behind the scenes between him and Fizsman.
geez said:
“I still dont understand why people knock Dein, to me he is Arsenal through and through…”
Perhaps it’s because he tried to engineer a board room coup not once, but twice; sold all his shares to Usmanov who formed a company with the expressed aim of taking over Arsenal Holdings; opposed building the stadium which is the single most important factor in AFC’s financial stability.
Fair enough, he had a disagreement with the rest of the board about the best way to ensure AFC could compete in the future. Having lost the argument, he could have just resigned if he felt unable to support the course of action the board decided on – that would have been the dignified route to take.
“from what I see and gather Wenger thinks the same.”
I’m sure Wenger agrees that DD loves Arsenal, but with regard to the principles on which a football club should be run, Wenger stands with the board and against Dein. Dein, by his own doing, no longer has any connection with adminstration of Arsenal. Usamanov is a ManU fan who simply wants to make money out of Arsenal. Dein brought him into the picture.
“Why cant we have him back, and dont come out with the Russian baloney again, there is not much difference behind the scenes between him and Fizsman.”
DF is a businessman, but the resemblance to Usmanov ends there.
(Sorry to leave such a long post, Goonerholic.)
Good post, ‘holic. I also thought the interview was good, raised some pertinent points (re: the wages comments, that Arsenal arent far behind ManU in terms of total wages). Another thing these interviews are doing is quelling speculation that he will sell up and settle in Swiss land. Fiszman seems to be taking a more hands on approach to Arsenal FC and thats a welcome sign, for me atleast.
The CEO / CFO model has worked well for us in the past, and a DOF position isnt necessary. Dein was the CEO (so to speak) and Edelman performed the CFO role. We now see Friar performing 2 roles at once. He’s surely not Superman :).
The usual for me please.
I thought here would be the best place to greet you, so hope all is good with the ‘business’ procured by the return of the management.
Take care.
What Ollie said