Where Arsenal stand with FFP and Premier League PSR amid points deduction threat

Twenty words were all Arsenal fans needed to read in the statement about the club's finances for the year ending May 31, 2023. Of course the £52million loss would have been of interest, as would the figures around the increase in matchday revenue and broadcasting revenue.

The accounts also revealed that the Gunners made just over half the profit they made in 2022 from player sales and loan deals. Something that may well be a cause for concern for supporters.

But all that really matters at the moment is the situation around Financial Fair Play and the Premier League's Profit & Sustainability Regulations. Everton have had their ten-point deduction for breaching PSR reduced to six points, while the Toffees and Nottingham Forest are awaiting rulings over another breach.

Many clubs have cut their cloth accordingly, as a result of those sanctions, and the January transfer window was possibly the quietest on record. Arsenal were among a number of clubs not to do any incoming business last month.

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That's why the 20 words in the Arsenal statement about FFP were the most important. The statement read: «The club continues to be compliant with applicable financial sustainability regulations put in place by UEFA and the Premier League.»

Under PSR rules clubs are allowed to make a loss of £105million over a three-year period, but if they go beyond that, like Everton did, could face sanctions like points deductions. Certain costs are allowed to be deducted from that £105million figure though, such as infrastructure, women’s football, investment in youth and community work.

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