Author: Vishwajit Sawant
Arsenal emerged as one of the top clubs in a study that examined the brand value of Europe’s leading soccer teams. The club’s impressive performance in the Premier League, where they finished as runners-up, elevated their status as an attractive destination for players.
Under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s young, courageous and dynamic team defied expectations by leading the league for a significant part of the campaign. Although he narrowly lost the title to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, his progress on the pitch was undeniable.
This success has now translated to the commercial side of the sport, as indicated by Brand Finance’s latest findings for the 2022/23 season. The research reveals that Arsenal’s brand value has risen to a massive US$940 million (£756.7 million), surpassing that of their London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea.
Arsenal’s brand value, determined by analyzing commercial aspects, marketing strategies, public relations and overall brand perception, increased by US$21 million (£16.9 million) compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, Chelsea suffered a significant drop, from US$ 991 million to US$ 893 million, and Spurs fell from US$ 1.01 billion to US$ 931 million.
Arsenal’s highest point in terms of brand value was in 2018, the year after their last UEFA Champions League appearance. Since then, there has been a steady decline, but the appointment of Arteta and subsequent rebuilding efforts have coincided with a resurgence, reaching the highest level since the reign of former manager Arsène Wenger.
This positive trajectory is a testament to the strength of the club under the ownership of Stan Kroenke, who has achieved success in his sports and entertainment franchise. Arsenal’s top ranking, in 8th place in the brand value ranking, reflects the investments in the squad, the tactical improvements and the effective leadership of Mikel Arteta.
Notably, Arsenal recorded the biggest brand increase of all the clubs in the top 50 globally, with a remarkable 14.3% increase in the European market. The strength of its brand has also been recognized, as it now ranks seventh in the Brand Strength Index, making it the fourth highest ranked English team, behind only the two Manchester clubs and Liverpool.
This remarkable brand success sets the stage for a financially strengthened Arsenal team as the next transfer window approaches. With aspirations to build on last season’s achievements, Arsenal will be looking to maintain their impressive league position and meet the growing expectations of their fans.