Arsenal: The Making of a Modern Superclub Paperback – October 17, 2016

This book is highly recommended for both long-term and relatively new fans of Arsenal FC, or anyone fascinated by the business of modern sport or the aesthetics of modern football. Arsene Wenger inherited a core group of players in the mid-1990s, added select players on the cheap through his unique knowledge of the continental game and its players, and parlayed success over the ensuing decade into the money-making machine that is Arsenal today.For the last six years, Wenger has continued single-mindedly to follow his ideals, even while the club has fallen short in the quest for trophies. But the style of play he insists upon has filled the club's state-of-the-art new stadium with high-paying fans. The true conclusion to this book can be written only when the Financial Fair Play rules take effect. They hold at least the promise that Wenger's methods will once again place Arsenal at the top the English league.In the meantime, this book is a wonderful history of Arsenal's last twenty years, and provides a window into the growth of the Premier League and world football in that time.

Honestly, with a title like this one I was expecting a more glowing story. I'm not saying it's a negative narrative or anything like that. Far from it. Rather, the author is not shy about being critical where he feels it's warranted. Of course, the main thrust is how Arsenal has moved to a whole new level in the context of the business of world football. I found all the behind-the-scenes stuff that someone like myself watching the club from afar just can't see really insightful - the boardroom maneuvering, interaction with supporters, changing stakeholders, etc. Definitely worth a read.

If you are passionate about Arsenal and want to get an insight into how our club has changed over the past 25+ years this is a great read. Even the very dry financial detail is easy to read. My view of AW hasn't changed, still in the "AMG" camp but I have a vastly increased respect for the man having read this.

The modern history of Arsenal and the ascendancy of Wenger and lots of interesting tidbits in between , especially the bit about squad numbering.Worth buying, its about Arsenal.

This book is more of a window into a corporation than a soccer club, which perhaps makes sense given the degree to which a club needs to have financial heft if it wants to thrive in modern soccer. Unfortunately, it makes for a less than thrilling read. The boardroom politics and financial operations dominate the proceedings, so much so that David Dein is more prominent than Thierry Henry. And given that Arsene Wenger appears not to have cooperated with the author, we are frequently left to speculation about Wenger's feelings and motivations, which is a shame because as the fulcrum between the corporate suits and the players he is the single most interesting character in the book.I recommend this book if you are interested in the economics of running a soccer club, but I can't recommend it as possessing a strong narrative or shedding much light on Arsene Wenger and the players on the field.

Excellent understanding of what came before and how Wenger made what happened next- and how this changed EPL's mindset towards game.

Great Book

Great book ... Great Christmas present. FAST shipping. Thank you!

It’s a great account of the inner workings of his Arsenal transformed to a club that could compete with the best.On the other hand, it makes you tear your hair out when hearing about the small mindedness of the board, the petty squabbles with David Dein, the handing of so much power to Arsene, and his vanity project of trying to win with kids who were not of the required calibre of temperament.Overall, a great read

Very interesting. I read it in two days

If you are true Arsenal Fan go for it

I know I'm obviously biased but I'd I'd read anything good on Arsenal and this is a well documented piece. It will be interesting to see if there's another one in a few years time as the football world is changing perhaps not for the better as it's now a huge business more than a sport.

Enjoyable read