“We’re just a little way away from being great”

In an EXCLUSIVE interview, Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman talks to Felix Lowe about the promise behind a season without silverware


TOP brass at Arsenal are happy. Despite crashing out of all competitions this season, the promise of the young Gunners in the squad is encouraging.
Managing director, Keith Edelman, admitted that the club was “disappointed” by recent results, but insisted there was good reason to be upbeat about the future.
He said: “You have got to look at the positives along with the negatives. On one hand, we have been knocked out of three competitions and there will be no silverware this season, but on the other, we have a very young squad and we play outstanding football.
“Many clubs would be envious of our position. Of course, [this season] is disappointing because we have been used to such high standards in recent years, but if you look at the world football stage, we’re very successful.”
His words come after a difficult fortnight that saw the club, currently fourth in the Premiership, lose the Carling Cup final against Chelsea, and suffer FA Cup and Champions League exits at the hands of Blackburn Rovers and PSV Eindhoven.
With many young players breaking into the first team this season, however, the foundations for forthcoming success seem firmly laid.
The likes of Theo Walcott, 17, Denilson, 19, Justin Hoyte, 22, Abou Diaby, 20, and Johan Djourou, 20, have broken into the first team this term, alongside the comparatively seasoned players Cesc Fabregas, 19, Emmanuel Eboue, 23, Emmanuel Adebayor, 21, Gael Clichy, 21, and Robin van Persie, 22.
It was a largely second-string line-up, with an average outfield age of 21, which narrowly lost to a full-strength Chelsea side in the memorable Carling Cup final in Cardiff after defeating Premiership opposition in three previous rounds.
Mr Edelman labelled the blossoming North London squad as “the most talented group of young players in any club in the world at the moment.”
With reference to last May’s Champions League final defeat to Barcelona, he added: “The young players might have not had the experience, but many of them have already played in a European Cup final. They can only get better and learn more. We play very attractive football, which has increased our fan base all over the world and has improved our reputation as a football club.”
Arsenal’s lack of clinical finishing and shaky defence have been the main criticisms from the last two trophyless seasons.
But Mr Edelman defended the club’s attacking style of play, stressing that the team, caught short at times, are on the verge of greatness.
He said: “We have a distinct style of play and we’re going to play that way. It’s very exciting to watch, it’s how the game should be played. The problem is that young players do make mistakes, and that obviously hurts you at this level. We’re still a little bit away from it working every week, but not far. We’re just a little bit away from being great.”
Denying tabloid rumours of an Emirates transfer “war-chest”, Edelman nevertheless confirmed that manager Arsene Wenger will be supplied with ample funds for team building in the summer, despite the premature exit from Europe.
He also stressed the importance of Thierry Henry’s fitness. The talismanic captain has suffered a string of injuries and was recently ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
“His absence has had a negative impact on both him and the club, but I’m sure after a break he will come back refreshed and renewed. He will be as important next season as in previous seasons.”
In an apparent attack against Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool, who have all undergone lucrative takeovers from foreign investors, Edelman praised his club’s rich traditions.
He said: “We take pride in being a British club owned by British people. We are a very big club, a world club, with a huge reputation to keep up. We have been honourable and honest for years and the objective is to remain so.”