So here we are people, the end of Arsenal football club as we know it. Silent Stan Kroenke, the evilest man to walk a sports arena, has finally won out. He’s part way to driving out the white knight, Alisher Usmanov, for a whopping £600m buyout of his stake.
This is a dark day for Arsenal.
I mean, kind of.
This dramatic notion that the world is caving in because Stan K is buying up the rest of Arsenal is a little far-fetched. The morbid picture that has been painted is based on a lot of worst case scenarios.
Sure, there could be less transparency around the club, but at the same time, you have to remember a lot of the fan interaction items that were put on were out of generosity, versus some sort of legal obligation. Our family has a share, I went to most of the AGMs before I moved to America, let’s not pretend for a second you extracted any sort of real insight from those days out. Sir Chips or Peter Hillwood would usually insult the intelligence of the peasant folk, Ivan would tell us not to believe our lying eyes, and Stan would rarely say anything. It wasn’t true governance because the fans had no real power. Not just that, Arsenal offered up additional seats for people at various fan groups because they were being nice. The club has always pushed to be as open as possible. Ivan G has sat through a lot of fan Q&As, the club has opened up its facilities for meet and greets with the staff, we have a lot of access.
I appreciate there’s a lot of love for fans owning a stake. The romantic scenes in Germany and at some clubs in Spain where the fans own the clubs in some way tugs at the heart strings. Representation at board level is a beautiful thing, and there’s no doubt that the good folk at the AST, Red Action, Black Scarf and AISA have done a lot of good in driving fan agenda items like flags at games, ticket price freezes, safe standing, and pushing Wenger to take the League Cup a little more seriously. All marvellous things.
I don’t think those things suddenly go away. If a new CEO comes in, hopefully from another football club, do you think their first move is going to be to cut fans out? I doubt it. We’re important. Why do you think Ivan has been so keen to make the transformation at Arsenal about him? He reads the internet, he hears your hot takes from you at Waitrose, he wants fans in the stadium to shout things like, ‘bloody good transition old boy’, not, ‘HOW DID YOU FUCK UP ALONSO YOU STUPID MUG HE WAS IN THE CAR.’
Usmanov stands to make a heck of a profit, there’s a lot of sadness David Dein (Arsenal’s David Cameron) jumped the gun with Kroenke, because everything would have looked a whole lot more Chelsea right now. Again though, let’s not pretend he was always the favoured oligarch to takeover. David Dein sold out in the hope of leading the club, he managed to get himself fired in the process, then flogged his shares to Usmanov in the hope that Red&White holdings would do something to elevate the club and give the manager the transfer fees he needed.
He was pilloried for that. The fans, the blogs, everyone was against a businessman that apparently did something to someone where a vat of acid was involved. Everyone hated the fact a nasty Uzbek was coming to the party. We liked the cute cowboy hat and understated humbleness of Stan K. We liked the one who ran a ‘proper’ business. Years later, we realised Stan knew how to run a business (a real estate business), but one that lacked any sort of a ambition to dominate.
The biggest disappointment about how folk like David Dein, Danny Fizsman and Nina B sold the club out, is that they moved it on to a company that looked at incremental growth over a 20 years period. Stan K makes his money with the looooooong bets. He’ll invest in property where he knows a big Walmart is going and sit on that property in the hope it blows up over the 20-year stretch. He’s not wolf on wall street. He’s not about the quick buck.
Arsenal for him has been a quite incredible investment. His original purchase of the club, when all the blocks are added sits at about £424m. The club has gone from tinpot entity at Highbury, to £1.8b monster if he buys out Alisher. He doesn’t get returns like that anywhere else. Arsenal is the equivalent of striking oil on one of his ranches 200 years ago. We are the absolute GEM for him.
So what are the main concerns?
Well, he’s taking a loan out to buy out the remaining 30%. How does he pay for that loan? It certainly won’t be out of his own pocket. He can’t do a leveraged buyout like the Glazers dropped on United (take out a loan on the club to buy the club, then use the fans to pay and club profit to pay it off), but he has a number of options to pay it off, and now he has an opaque setup he can hide the details in. His Delaware dealings, well covered by the excellent Matt Scott over the years, are murkier than a night out with Jermaine Pennant.
Putting that to one side, not a lot changes.
For you, as a fan, we’ll still be a club that’s run sensibly. We’re never going to behave aggressively in the transfer market. We’re never going to break FFP rules. The club has been built to operate under its own steam and I’d imagine that’s what it’ll do moving forward. Arsenal is boring, but remember, we’re a club that can offer up a lot of steam. We generate massive match day receipts, our commercials are moving in the right direction, and there’s huge potential at the club.
My hope is if Stan has learnt anything over the last few years, it’s that neglecting a Premier League football club by not investing in capable talent is a sure fire way to lose money on your bottom line. I know the top folk at Arsenal are embarrassed they’re not in th CL. That’s a big deal. I’m hoping that Stan is realizing first hand that running a football club is not like running a franchise. The fans are crazier, the cost of being shite is greater, the difficulty getting back to the top is harder, and not investing cash in players is elite players is an absolute fools game with a market so flush with money.
Look at the positives. We’re all happy with the backroom hires. We’re all happy with the reshaping of the squad. We’re all happy with the general direction of the club.
Stan owning another 30% makes no difference to that direction. It’s just a feelings thing. It’s just a ‘what could happen’ panic button everyone is pushing. For me, you can worry about the implications of the ‘what if’ when you’re watching the institutions of democracy being attacked. You never know who is coming in next and it’s a constant rotation of power. Stan K is going to be here for 30 more years. We’re going to be the most consistently run outfit in world sport, it’ll just be dull.
So let’s not be dramatic. Arsenal is the star in Stan’s portfolio. For him to grow that star, he has to have a competitive team. For all the major owners to move TV revenue to the next level, they have to continue to invest in the product. We’ve been doing that, our wages bill is £200m+ and we were the 3rd highest net spender in the league over the last 5 years and we’ve outspent Madrid from a net perspective since 2010. Stan needs a competitive Arsenal, so nothing is going to change on that front, the club will move on without Alisher, it’ll move on without Gazidis who has chosen to ply his trade with Milan, and it’ll move on without fans being literally invested in the club.
It’s a bland set of circumstances, but let’s not kid ourselves anyone has the best option. No ownership of a football club is romantic or ideal. Every club comes with its visa issues. Our biggest worry is that Stan is a bit boring. But overall, bar the love-in for Wenger that went on far too long, the club is pretty well run and it’s moving in the right direction.
It’s a sad day for shareholders who have to sell up, but it’s also a massive payday for them.
Stan is a safe businessman, and he’ll always be that way. The only way Arsenal make it moving forward is having the best football staff in the game, working budgets harder, and working our players smarter than anyone else.
It’s always been a struggle being an Arsenal fan, and it always will be. Let’s just enjoy the ride. x
Paulinho Yeah ha makes sense in a weird way, squad was such a mess under Wenger that we’d kind of given up hope re addressing the glaring issues in it but once you clean up a position or two you scrutinise your other weak spots, it’s only natural. I think most like Torreira and Leno as signings, both are notable upgrades on what we already had and have great upside given their ages. Same with Guendouzi but people have to be a lot more patient with him. I already like the balls on the kid though, makes mistakes but has… Read more »
One plaer to watch out for this season is Salah because last year’s performance was no fluke.
He has developed the aura of a mega-star just below the Messi/Ronaldo level.
When he walks into a game, there’s that unspoken belief that he’s going to score with every other touch and it scares defenders- they have to account for him.
He may very well replicate last season’s form, if he does Liverpool will break their league hoodoo.
Dissenter totally agree. Special player.
gambon
Yeah he could just want a season to feel out the squad and see if he can spark a rejuvenation out of the likes of Bellerin, Kolasinac and Mustafi and improve Mavropanos and Holding.
Given Kroenke was so ridiculously patient with Wenger, Emery won’t be under huge pressure this season past a top 5-6 finish, anything more would be a bonus.
i actually think we have what it takes to finish 4th mind, nobody else fazes me besides City and Liverpool.
I would say there was some fluke involved.
Salah is a good player but he’s not scoring 40 or even 30 goals every season.
Salah is an amazing player.
Having said that, no way he touches 45 goals again imo. Everything he touched ended up in the back of the net last season, was like Higuain for Napoli in 2015/16 and Immobile last season.
He’ll still break 30, my guess is he scores 30-35 in all comps.
Mail running with the story that we have doubled our kit deal from 30m to 60m pa with Adidas from next summer.
If so, that’s a good deal.
Chelsea are also on 60m pa but they are tied in for 15 years.
London Gunner you are so right the transfer window was not a magnificent success my main worry is we didnt get a class CB Sokratis is slower than Mertesacker Lichensteiner is a one year very slow stop gap RB/ Wenger dreadful transfer and wage dealings have left us vulnerable we cant getrid of dross like Jenkinson. Ospina erc no one will pay their current wages and Ramsey is blackmailing us. Our only hope is that tomorrow we sell Rambo and Welbeck for 65 million and we get 2 class players in at last moment.
Hard to look past Kane for top scorer once again, think Aubameyang can definitely challenge him if he’s played down the middle and usual suspects like Aguero and Lukaku will be up there.
That would be a great deal, what is Puma right now £34 Million or something? So that would be £26 Million of new money straight away.
The Pogba to Barcelona story is gathering steam.
Apparently he is desperate to leave and has already agreed personal terms.
United would have to be out of their mind to swap Pogba to Barcelona for their dross.
No chance they entertain a deal unless the likes of Dembele are involved.
Makes the Vidal signing a strange one then doesnt it?
Their gaffer must not fancy Rakitic at all.
Cesc
It’s 30m pa at the moment.
“No chance they entertain a deal unless the likes of Dembele are involved.”
With Pogba running from Mourinho,I doubt Dembele would be looking forward to it.
Gambon
Great deal then.
To be honest I was expecting some sort of flat, uninspiring, mild growth deal like £40 Million.
With it being £60 Million bringing in an extra £30 Million a season in that one deal is pretty great. Emirates renewed with us as well I think and they are paying £20 Million more a season starting next year. Add in the sleeve deal, UCL money etc and we’re bringing in a lot more money right away.
Barcelona will have to offer the whole amount in money, no way Dembele would want to join Mourinho I wouldn’t think.
Means Barcelona will need money, enter Arsenal 😉
United have to show Barca they are a big club.
Tell them to pay up 200 million or fuck off.
I would have forcibly waxed the agent that came with that condescending offer of two dross players plus 40 million for Pogba.
Haven’t posted in a while so go easy on me guys. Can someone explain to me the Ramsey love fest? What is he elite at exactly? Close control: No (Ozil, Mkhi, Torreira, are better) Passing: No (Ozil, Mkhi, Torreira, Xhaka, Guendouzi are better) Play making: No (Ozil, Mkhi, Xhaka, Guendouzi) Goal scoring: Yes Tactical discipline: No (Ozil, Mkhi, Torreira, Xhaka) Tackling: No (Mkhi, Torreira, Xhaka) Fast break initiation: No (Ozil, Mkhi, Xhaka, Guendouzi) Athleticism: Yes Its no surprise that no other teams are bidding big for him. Not sure how anyone justifies giving him 200 – 300k a week when… Read more »
Hopefully you have allowed my posts to be seen. Please and thanks
Only way Ramsey stays is for his engine and pressing tactics of emery
Can’t think of any other reason but those are not worth 250 plus per week
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6036777/Kroenkes-Arsenal-buy-means-proud-club-turns-franchise.html I’m sure there will be many journalists’ views on the take over to come. Having read the posts here many have merit from Pedro’s to CC’s to Gambon etc. At the end of the day it is all speculation and various points made can support the different narratives. For most of us our thoughts are emotionally driven, especially those of us in our 50s onwards who are life supporters of the club where what has happened in the unthinkable. Yet it has happened and that is the reality. We’ll have to wait and see, we have no other option,… Read more »
Many posters on Le Grove have advocated for a very long time complete regime change and that is frankly what we are getting. Kroenke family will own rather than control the club. Some may object to his leadership but until now he could argue that he had responsibility to run the club as a business rather than as a football club. That might well change. The Board is still unchanged apart from arrival of Josh Kroenke. One or two of the old hats now in their late 70s and 80s should be shifted out. Gazidis is by all accounts on… Read more »
The chambers loan deal doesn’t make much sense when you consider holding is the player crying out for game time, and needing a loan. Not saying chambers is the new Tony Adams, but when you look at all the centrebacks that we have that will be fit for the city game, he looks the best one to have lining up in the defence. Why play him all those games in preseason for Fulham to get the benefit? Why sign him to a new deal if your not selling him, loaning makes no sense. And why loan him with two days… Read more »
Up4grabsnow
Chambers is not remotely good enough to play for a top 4 club in EPL. He is
now playing for a club that suits his level.
The only surprise is that Arsenal gave him a new contract with pay rise.
Ramsey is somewhat different, because when fit he is a starter in our 1st X1.
There are of course different opinions about his ability. My understanding is
that Arsenal made an offer to increase his wages to £150K pw. His agent seems
to value his services at considerably more!!
Mail running with the story that we have doubled our kit deal from 30m to 60m pa with Adidas from next summer.”
Great if true.
I’m very happy with Leno, Lichtsteiner, Torreira & Guendouzi.
if we bring in Vida to replace Chambers it’ll be remarkable only in that we’ll have signed two mature CBs this summer and Mustafi would still be my first choice.
Emirates,
He might not be the standard we need to get back into the top four, but he’s shown signs of improvement and maybe under emery and alongside a decent partner could make the jump?
My point though was, he is the best of a bad bunch, and should have lined up against city.
If we don’t bring another centreback in which could happen, it means we start with the two Greek guys or with Mustafa or holding.
It ain’t great.
Wallace,
Signings have been good although not sold on papa,
Still think another centrebacks and winger is needed.
But hopefully with emery actually instilling tactics and different formations in games, top four is possible
Wallace there is nothing remarkable about Vida coming in IMO.
Besiltas are very desperate to flog him for some money at the back of a world cup where he was not exactly excellent, he is 29…look at his club football history. Sokratis pisses all over him and i do not rate Sokratis.
I mean we can sign a fast, strong defender from virtually any league in the world without looking at someone based on World cup performances
Wallace and Up4grabs now
There is no dispute that our Centre Backs are sub par when compared with other top clubs in EPL and Europe.
Chambers despite his age would not change that. The difference between him and let say Mavropanos is that he has reached the point in his career where he
needs to play regularly and that is not going to happen at Arsenal.
Also his wages are significantly higher than those of both Holding and Mavropanos.
Can Rakitic come with Vida?
Happily send Ramsay to Besitkas if thats the case.
Arsenal have at the moment too many players on their books who are bench
players and don’t justify wages of £50-80K pw which we are currently paying
them.
That has been the problem at the club for far too long and renders many of these players unsaleable.
I am all for paying our elite players top dollar, but not paying average players
inflated wages to sit on bench.
Stoller
Indeed, the after effects of Wengers wage structure, unsellable dross sitting on bench waiting for last year of contract to move on or loan around in the interim, Gibbs, Walcott, Jenkinson, Campbell, Wilshire and many more.
Going to take a couple seasons more to fully eradicate it but this new transfer team off to a good start with us seeing backs of many in pretty quick succession.
Receding Hairline
“Wallace there is nothing remarkable about Vida coming in IMO.”
that was my point. Sokratis & Vida would be very underwhelming additions. especially when Yerry Mina looks to be available for not much more than we’d pay for Vida.
Would rather see chambers with mustafi or papa than holding, and with Europa and league cup games fa cup and sub appearances he would have plenty of games this season
Maybe a moot point and we could sign somebody top draw.
Just not holding my breath!
London gunner believes pool’s attack is better than ours, I disagree. Last season, yes. This season it’s left to be seen. Player for player, we have better players.
Aubermayang >>>> Mane
Lacazette a better goal threat than Firminho
Salah>>>>> ozil.
That’s 2 to 1.
However, let’s see how the system works.
In the midfield Torreira is better than Keita
I haven’t seen Fabinho play, I can’t judge. But I will give that to Fabinho even tho I haven’t seen him play but based on hype.
The 3rd man in both midfield is uncertain .
Defensively.
They have a better RB, we have a better LB, they have a better CB.
Goal keepers, I have no idea who’s better.
Are we that far off? Let’s see the teams play matches then we judge, player for player we are about the same
Man utd:
Auba> sanchez
Lukaku > lacazette
Ozil > lingard
Torreira = Matic
Pogba > than whomever
Fred vs ?
Monreal > young
Valencia > Bellerin
Both shitty CBs
DE gea > whomever
Man utd win by 4 to 3.. if our 3rd man midfield is better than Fred, we draw
Gambon.
Re Salah not scoring 30-40 goals a season?
But he’s worth that to the team .
Salah is like having an extra man.
Salah is the type we desperately need.?
At the moment we are light at the back
And if Perez and Welbeck go even lighter upfront.
I am not optimistic but hey let’s see what happens
Sunday will give us more of a view.
Spurs:
Auba > son
Kane > lacazette
Alli= ozil
Erickson > whomever
Torreira > whomever
Monreal > Davies
Trippier > Bellerin
Both spurs CB better than ours
Lloris> whomever
Spurs win 7: 3
James
There’s no guarantee Salah will reproduce last seasons form. He’s only had one of such season in his entire career.
20 goals this season is a real tall order. He will be targetted. And he doesn’t play CF.
Pool’s front three absolutely decimates ours. Player for player and especially as a whole three. Their front three has basically all the ingredients you could need, ours doesn’t. Firmino is miles ahead of Lacazette. Firmino vs Auba is a more even comparison where I still believe that the Brazilian wins. Mane destroys any option we could play on our left wing, and Salah vs Ozil is as one-sided as it can get. Here and now Salah was the player of last season, one of the three most exciting players after Ronaldo and Messi – Mbappe, Neymar and Salah. Ozil just… Read more »
Prolific wingers hardly maintain their goal scoring forms season after season. Hazard had about just 2, sanchez also, Pires too, same with Bale.
I will be surprised if Salah hits 20
‘Firmino is miles ahead of Lacazette. Firmino vs Auba is a more even comparison where I still believe that the Brazilian wins.’
You have to be kidding me. Lacazette and Firminho might be debatable, but Auba?
Only Harry Kane and Aguero in the entire fucking epl is on his level. A hit and miss Firminho that can’t bench Jesus and you compare him with a prolific scorer like AUBA?
Pool’s attack collectively play better but firminho and Mane are no where near world class.
Mane is barely in control of the ball.
How dare you compare Auba and firminho
Very easy test:
Place a bet on either auba or firminho, who gets to 20 ?
‘Firmino vs Auba debatable
Salah vs Ozil comparison’
LOLOL Ffs
Last season
Auba 29 league matches 23 goals (2 leagues)
Firminho 37 league matches 15 goals
EPL alone, Auba 13 matches 10goals.
How can you even think of comparing?
Even lacazette is better than Firminho
EPL 32 matches (half as subs) 14goals
Firminho is nowhere near both as strikers. Mind you that was lacazette and Auba 1st season in a new league and they had better stats
Firmino is much of a complete footballer than Auba. Now if Auba could do what he does but on Henry level, it would go his way by far. But as things stand Firmino can score, combine, fight, is mobile and absolutely never hides. On his bad day he can give you so much. Basically remove him from Pool’s attack and it’s not the same. What Auba really does has lately become a thing that wide forwards do. In CF you need more someone like Firmino. Re Jesus benching Firmino; that was a big mistake by Tite and probably the biggest… Read more »
If Auba or lacazette are striking for Liverpool, they will be scoring 30+, dare I say Auba will be leading Salah in goals. He’s that good
Never mind. After reading this line
“Mane is barely in control of the ball.”
I will stop this madness.
Firminho is an average striker. And lacazette is much more an all rounder. And Firminho has never had a better stats than lacazette in his entire career. What are you even talking about.
Without Salah Firminho is nohing
There’s a reason mane had 10 goals last season, he’s such a hit and miss. They create loads for each other, but you just never know when mane and Firminho will put it to bed, they miss loads. Only Salah was reliable.
Do you watch their matches at all? Or you just fantasize over their attacks
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spieler-statistik/wertvollstespieler/marktwertetop/plus/0/galerie/0?ausrichtung=Sturm&spielerposition_id=alle&altersklasse=alle&jahrgang=0&land_id=0&yt0=Show
The nothing striker is valued slightly higher than Auba (as I said) and much higher than Lacazette.
Mane is a slightly better Gervinho in a very good attack. Remember Gervinho was also always scoring about 10goals a season too.
Sanchez in his worst season in epl had 9 goals effortlessly
Mane in one of his best is scoring 10goals.
I think I’ve missed maybe 5 games of Liverpool’s 38 in the EPL last season. I have pretty decent observations on their attack. If you think that Firmino is a nothing striker, worse than Lacazette, and that Mane is barely in control of the ball, then I will simply move away.
Raptora
How’s an opinion market value better than stats and facts that are irrefutable?
See the stats for yourself, look at previous seasons.
There’s nothing prolific about Firminho
Salah made them look better than they actually are. Watch them before Salah came and in matches without Salah, down to their national teams.
They are bang average.
Granted klopp system works for them, even with that they can’t score. I mean Zaha and Mane are one goal apart.
I like Firmino, and Liverpool’s attack is definitely more dangerous than ours at present, but Lacazette was only a goal behind Firmino last season – 14 vs 15 – while playing in the least effective Arsenal side in recent memory.
Aubameyang vs Salah will be interesting this season. and while Mane will definitely outscore Ozil, can Ozil make up the difference in assists to our two strikers?
Lacazette last 4 seasons stats (league alone)
27,21,28 and 14 goals (spent half as subs, new league)
Firminho last 4 seasons 7,10,11, 15 goals
Aubermayang last 4 seasons 16, 25, 31, 23 (transitioning )
Can you see the stats? Firminho is as average as they come
In terms of goals output, Firminho is on giroud level, morataish
Aubermayang is on Harry Kane, Suarez level
Just to throw this in, aubermayang had 7 assists last season (4 for arsenal 3 for dortmund )
Firminho had 7 as well while playing next to Salah that had 30+ goals.
So where’s the all rounder effect?
You think just running headlessly is football?
Sanmi
‘Mane is a slightly better Gervinho in a very good attack. ‘
You must be trolling. Mane is one of the best 5 players in the league.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11464987/unai-emery-can-test-pep-guardiola-when-arsenal-host-manchester-city
TR7
Best 5 @ what?
salah, kane, aubermayang, lukaku, aguero, debryne, sane, silva, Erikson, sanchez, pogba.
How’s mane better than those? He doesn’t score more, doesn’t assist more, doesn’t control the game more.
What exactly makes mane in top 5?
Sterling is even better, Alli has better out put, Zaha will even compete, fucking lacazette has better stats.
Sanmi I don’t care about stats, I judge a player based on his ability alone. In one vs one situation, there’s probably nobody better than Mane in the league. He has great pace and is very industrious. Take Mane out of Liverpool attack and their team becomes toothless offensively. Salah might have got a lot of goals but Mane has been performing consistently for last 5 years both for Southampton and now Liverpool. He is involved in most if not all build ups. A constant threat in and around the box.It’s mind-boggling you rate Lukaku more who is merely a… Read more »
Scoring and assists are what you are ultimately judged on as a forward player, over a season.
You can do 20 dribbles a game, be the fastest, the strongest, the most adventurous, but it doesn’t mean a can of beans at the end of the season if you score 10 & assist 5 in 40-55 games.
Mane and firmino are good players but auba is better by a mile, and laca is better than them as well, but not quite aubas level.
At the end of the day I’m more worried about our defence.
Your Comment Here
TR7
So stats don’t matter any longer? Because they make an arsenal player look better?
I understand certain stats are useless, but for a forward, how can goals scores and assists made be useless? Explain that to me.
We will sign no one before the deadline and Ornstein will be proved EXACTLY right again with his five deals. It winds some people up on here when you say this but Arsenal use him as their unofficial mouthpiece to manage fan expectations. I believe Ramsey will sign soon
I still read Le Grove often but got as frustrated with it as I did Wenger in 2006. Le Grove is dull with dull egomaniac FM players commenting on things they know nothing about. Spurs pleasers beat ours 7-3 Ha Ha Ha. Liverpool’s forwards better than our. Well we can only compare after a full season with both out prolific forwards and Ozil playing without the weight of the world around his shoulders. Paulinho right 99% of the time. Wow. Pedro, you are expert at marketing so you need to bring Le Grove up to date. It took too long… Read more »
Your Comment Here Good article. It encapsulates well the reality of business investment and long term planning and sustainability. This is in stark contrast to the short term fix (financial doping) we often see at clubs that enevitably blows up in everyone’s face at some point. However, I anticipate most ardent fans will be concerned about the levels of internally generated player investment. How much can they spend on players? Which is increasingly seen as a measure of goodness. Even in a Profit and Loss / Balance Sheet / cash flow conscious business there are times when investing ahead of… Read more »