Arsenal chiefs have £18M riding on Porto clash
Arsenal's Champions League clash with Porto tonight has millions riding on it.
The Guardian says if Arsene Wenger's side lose, it will have an eight-figure impact on their net matchday income, as against the previous season. In 2008-09, Arsenal reached two semi-finals, in the FA Cup and the Champions League, playing 11 home matches in the process. Tonight's tie will be only the fifth this season at the Emirates Stadium in those two competitions.
As part of their season-ticket fees, Gunners fans pay for seven cup matches on top of the normal 19 Premier League fixtures. Carling Cup matches do not count. That is what will cause the revenue loss to have a far-reaching impact if Arsenal do not make it through to the Champions League quarter-finals.
On top of the estimated £13m they would miss out on in lost matchday revenues from this season, there would be a future impact of £5m on season-ticket fees received in May, when the matches lost are discounted from fans' renewal price. Those who do not renew will be due a cash refund on the games they paid for but did not receive.