Arsenal Should Be Proud of Second Place

Over the weekend Arsene Wenger defended his policy towards transfers and explained that he felt that finishing second was a level of success. Wenger was also keen to point out that the Arsenal team should be applauded for being ahead of clubs with greater resources; such as Chelsea and Manchester City.

At the start of the season it's highly likely that the target was the Premier League title. Therefore, it is understandable that Arsenal fans will be disappointed to fall short again. Especially seeing as at times this season it looked as if Arsenal could take control of the title race. It is six years since a trophy and the fans are getting restless.

However, how do you gauge success? Is it really as simple as winning the title being success and finishing second being failure? As far as Wenger is concerned consistently competing at the top level is good progress.

Wenger said " To be consistent at the top level is the most difficult and important thing in our job. We've been in the Champions League for 15 years, and there's only two clubs who've done that in this country. It's us and Manchester United. Trophies are one way to judge a club. They're not overrated as it allows you to say you've won a trophy, but would you swap winning the FA Cup for playing in the Champions League?" (Guardian Sport)

Wenger certainly makes an interesting point and the fact that so many so called big clubs have fallen from grace in recent years means that Arsenal's consistency should be commended. Arsene Wenger is committed to success, but he is determined to do it in what he considers to be the right way. Although, Chelsea and Manchester City have come in and thrown money around. It's important to Wenger that that isn't the only way to build a successful team and that the gradual process of building a team and developing players can work as well.

It will be interesting to see how Stan Kroenke's takeover of Arsenal impacts on Arsene Wenger's transfer policy. The early indications are that Kroenke will be keen for Arsenal to spend a £60million warchest over the summer and plan to convince Wenger it's the right thing to do. The fact that Manchester United are prepared to spend £100million over the summer may force his hand, because failure to spend the money could leave Arsenal even further behind Manchester United and other sides that spend big.

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