Ivan Gazidis, Arsenal’s chief executive has made a statement assuring the fans about the status of the club in terms of financial and future growth potentials, after sets of supporters lost confidence with the selling the club’s biggest stars in recent years.

Arsenal are traditionally challengers for the Barclays Premier League, and the club’s position in the league in recent years has not given the fans enough reason to be content with the direction of the team. The biggest strength of the elite clubs stands its players, and the capability to keep its best players at the club. However, in the past few years, the Gunners have sold Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Alex Song – five players who have been an integral part of the squad that was the closest to challenging for the Premier League crown.

One of the club’s very own shareholders, Alisher Usmanov suggested at the start of the season that the politics at the boardroom level will leave Arsene Wenger with very few possibilities to succeed. The club’s spending policy has been heavily criticized by the supporters, who believe that the London based club must keep up to the level of development at the other top five teams.

This statement from Gazidis suggests that the policies of the board might see a change in direction, and Arsenal is in a very healthy position to challenge for the best players in the world and compete for the Premier League crown again. Due to the club being owned partly by different shareholders, communication with the fans is limited to major announcements and rare public statements. However, Gazidis’ statement will have to be backed by concrete news that will regain the trust and loyalty of the fading sections of some Arsenal supporters.

Rumors surrounding the club suggest that Wenger is eying Fiorentina striker Stefan Jovetic, who has reportedly been on the club’s radar for a few years. The Montenegrin has been subject to interest from the biggest clubs in Europe, and Arsenal hope to begin talks with the Italian side since the Fiorentina chairman has recently gone on record saying that he will not stand in the way of a move if that is what Jovetic wants and a fee is agreed.

According to Sky Sports, Gazidis said, “It is important to reiterate that for everyone at the club, qualification for the Champions League is not our ultimate ambition.”

“Our majority owner Mr Kroenke has made it clear that while it’s an achievement to make the Champions League, our ultimate objective is to win the major trophies.”

“We all share that clear ambition and will be driving the club forward to achieve it.”

“Arsene and I have already been planning what we need to do to strengthen so we are better placed next season.”

“One thing is certain – the club is in a very strong position to move forward and our form of losing just one of our last 16 Premier League matches shows that we have a solid foundation on which to build for success.”