Arsene Wenger never 'screamed or shouted' about Arsenal's transfer budget, says club director Ken Friar

James Benge9 May 2018

Arsene Wenger was "absolutely tremendous" when it came to Arsenal's transfer policy because he never flew into a rage over a lack of funds, according to club director Ken Friar.

Wenger is due to leave Arsenal at the end of the season after nearly 22 years at the club, with the Emirates Stadium standing as a testament to his legacy in north London.

The French coach managed Arsenal through their £390million project to move from Highbury to the Emirates, with Wenger’s commitment a prerequisite to a £260m loan to finance the move.

The move left Wenger hamstrung in the transfer market for over half a decade until the signing of Mesut Ozil in September 2013, with Arsenal consistently selling their best players to rivals both abroad and in the Premier League.

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Throughout that time Wenger continued to deliver top four finishes - and with them the financial boon of Champions League qualification - while developing a cadre of young players including Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere.

Photo: PA
PA

Friar, 83, who joined Arsenal as a 12-year-old and currently serves as a managing director and club secretary after over 70 years with the Gunners, has paid tribute to Wenger's temperament over transfers during what was a financially constrained time for the club.

Speaking to Arsenal's official website, Friar said: "Where he was absolutely tremendous was we would sit down with him and he’d have a chat with me and say ‘what do I have in the budget for transfers?’

"Whether that was £5m or £50m he would say ‘fine, that’s great, now I know what I can work with’.

"He was not screaming and shouting, asking how he could do this on £5m. Everything he did was reasoned and he was a very sensible chap.

"You could sit down with him and explain the reasons why you were recommending something and he would understand them."

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