22nd Jul, 2023 | 7:00am

Finance expert slams Arsenal for 'exploiting fans' - 'there is a major disconnect'

Arsenal are ‘exploiting fans’ by raising the prices of kits to £80 ahead of the 2023/24 season.

That is the view of finance expert Dr Dan Plumley, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the Gunners’ decision to inflate prices.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Arsenal have raised their shirt prices from £70 to £80 this summer – a 14 per cent increase.

The North London side are not alone, with 10 Premier League sides choosing to raise prices this summer.

Arsenal’s kits are now the most expensive in the top flight alongside Man United, who also rose their prices by 14 per cent.

Plumley believes the price rise will frustrate fans while only bringing Arsenal a small increase in revenue.

“I don’t think it’s a surprise, which is a shame because I don’t think it’s necessary either,” Plumley told Football Insider.

“Clubs don’t make a lot of money from shirt sales unless they’ve secured a really good deal with their provider.

“So naturally it doesn’t make a huge difference to their revenues or profits.

“I understand they have their reasons for squeezing prices, but the way the market is at the minute, it seems to be a method of exploiting fans.

“There’s no real reason to raise it other than fine margins.

“This is where the real gripe is with supporters, especially during a cost of living crisis, which football seems to be out of touch with.

“So, I don’t think it’s a surprise and Arsenal will argue that every club is doing it and that fans are still buying it so what is the issue?

“I think that’s where there is a major disconnect.“

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