22 Feb 2008Arsenal profits soar

Arsenal have announced half-year pre-tax profits of £20 million in the six months to November.

The current Premier League leaders have seen profits increase by 54 per cent year-on-year, up from £12.6 million in 2006.

Much of the financial success is down to the latest television rights deal for Premier League matches, as well as the continued success of the Emirates Stadium.

The state-of-the-art arena hosted the profitable Emirates Cup pre-season tournament, which attracted Inter Milan, Paris Saint Germain and Valencia.

Further to this, arsenal benefited from the sale of the club's leading goal scorer Thierry Henry, who left for Barcelona for £16.1 million in the summer.

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood revealed that everybody at the club is pleased with the financial results.

"We have had a very satisfactory start to the financial year," he confirmed.

According to the latest figures, match day income has increased by £3 million, taking it to £41.4 million.

Arsenal will be hoping to make more money towards the end of the season with the possibility of winning the Premier League and progressing in the Uefa Champions League.

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