Saudi-led takeover threatens Arsenal project but Mikel Arteta told to adapt to league change

Takeovers of Premier League sides have been a challenge that Arsenal have had to deal with for some time. The club have seen Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton all experience changes at an ownership level, but the recent takeover of Newcastle is something akin to the former two’s movement.

This is a genuine threat to Arsenal’s future and their own standing in the league standings. At present, Arsenal want to return to the top and compete with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City. However, the presence of a Newcastle side with similar ambitions and deep pockets will create further problems.

I spoke with CBS Sports’ Ben Jacobs to discuss the implications for Arsenal in the short and long term. Previously Jacobs detailed the likelihood of a successful Qatari takeover of Arsenal and the barriers in place. When asked if Arsenal should be worried, it appears the Gunners have more control over the situation than many may feel.

“Should Arsenal be worried? I mean if Arsenal are panicking over other clubs rather than implementing their own strategy on the football and business side then there’s something wrong at the Emirates Stadium anyway.

“Any of the big six should be aware that Newcastle are likely to be a new player but you don’t react to that move with worry, you use that new player as even further fuel to revisit your own strategy and potentially structure. And if you see something they’re doing, much like when Manchester City’s owners or Roman Abramovich came in, that you think you can learn from then you adapt.

“So, what we’re seeing in football is this notion of a group. That is the City Group, the Red Bull Group. PIF [The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia] wants to become a group. The advantage of a group is