The last few seasons the press and supporters have called for Wenger's head after every season has come and gone leaving Arsenal trophy less going into the 9th season without any silverware, But should we be surprised?

I've been backing Wenger to bring trophies and the glory days back to Arsenal since Vieira lifted the FA Cup after defeating United on penalties in Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in May 2005.

I've often tried deflecting criticism of Wenger by so called Arsenal and all football fans who have called for his head after every trophy less season has passed.

In the cold light of day I believe the fact that Arsene has even kept them in touch of the top 6 a remarkable feat and the reason is all to do with the money he has spent as outlined in my extensive research below tries to prove.

I know many will never agree to my point but the I have tried telling many a friend / colleague / family etc and the response i normally receive is at a club like Arsenal he has to win trophies. Though i agree to some extent I honestly believe without Wenger Arsenal would be lucky to be making it into the Europa League not playing their 16th Champions League campaign in a row.

Below is in my opinion the top 6 teams in the Premier League that have spent big and what Arsenal and Wenger are up against season after season and the end financial amounts hopefully but Arsenal and Wenger's last 8 years into perspective.

                Arsenal        Man Utd        Chelsea        Liverpool        Man City        Spurs

96/97       
Spent        5.3               9.2                13.7               3.0                   3.4                 4.6
Sold          12.8             7.0                 3.7                9.2                   2.1                 2.1
                + 7.4            -2.9                -9.9               +6.1                -1.3                -3.7
97/98
Spent       19.3            11.9                15.6               16.3                6.9                 13.3
Sold          1.0               1.0                 2.2                 2.2                 1.3                   5.0
                 -18.3           -10.9              -13.4             -14.1               -5.6                 -8.3
98/99
Spent        16.5            39.0                23.4              11.8                0.9                   8.6
Sold           0.6              5.3                 11.2               6.2                 9.6                   1.6
                 -15.9           -33.7               -12.2             -5.6                +8.7                 -7.0
99/00
Spent        19.9             7.0                 29.8               45.0               8.9                  15.0 
Sold           36.5            0.3                  6.1                15.6                0.9                   1.6
                 +16.6           -6.7                -23.7              -29.4             -8.0                  -13.4
00/01
Spent         49.5            10.3                44.4               30.0              11.4                 22.6
Sold           55.4             8.7                 34.0               10.2               1.0                    2.1
                  +5.9            -1.6                 -10.4              -19.8             -10.4               -20.5
01/02
Spent         28.7             75.5               39.5               27.5               20.9                 24.6
Sold            7.2              44.5               11.5               25.2                5.8                    8.5
                  -21.5            -31.0              -28.0              -2.3               -15.1               -16.1   
02/03
Spent          9.4              42.5                0                   27.7               38.7                 9.2 
Sold            10.6            3.4                  2.8                10.1               1.0                   1.2 
                   +1.2            -39.1              +2.8               -17.6             -37.7                -8.0
03/04
Spent          25.1            48.5               151.5              13.7              14.5                26.2
Sold            1.0               52.8                0.8                   0                  5.8                 1.5
                   -24.1           +4.3               -150.7             -13.7             -8.7                -24.7  
04/05
Spent          10.5            53.9                142.5              51.4              1.3                  41.5
Sold            3.4               8.4                  29.0               21.6              10.3                 9.2
                   -18.5           -21.0               -50.8              -22.0             +17.6              -32.3
05/06
Spent          40.5            28.0                 80.7               38.7              11.0                 32.1
Sold            22.0            7.0                   29.9               16.7              28.6                19.9
                   -18.5          -21.0                 -50.8              -22.0            +17.6               -12.2
06/07
Spent          13.2            24.0                  83.3              40.5                6.6                 53.7
Sold             14.1           20.2                  46.3              18.5                3.6                 34.0   
                   +0.9            -3.8                  -37.0              -22.0              -3.0                -19.7
07/08
Spent           27.5           91.0                  54.5               80.0              68.6                 82.9
Sold             50.2           38.6                   39.3              40.0               9.0                  19.9
                    +22.7         -52.4                -15.2              -40.0             -59.6                -63.0
08/09
Spent           35.3            39.8                 26.8               62.5              138.5              125.3
Sold             22.7             6.5                   39.2              40.5                23.4                77.8
                    -12.6           -33.3               +12.4              -22.0            -115.0              -47.5
09/10
Spent           10.5             24.1                 26.4               38.3              129.6              35.5
Sold              41.9            91.9                  3.5                44.3               27.2               28.0
                    +34.4          +67.8               -22.9               +6.0              -102.4             -7.5
10/11
Spent            20.2            25.7                111.3              85.9               160.5              23.0
Sold               9.4             16.1                  14.5               89.3                33.1               2.5
                     -10.8            -9.6                 -96.8              -3.4               -127.4            -20.5  
11/12
Spent            57.6            50.4                  91.4               58.5                83.5               8.3
Sold              68.9            13.7                  28.5               20.2                26.1               38.0      
                    +11.3          -36.7                 -62.9              -38.3               -57.4             +29.7
12/13
Spent            46.6            67.2                 101.3              59.5                54.5               64.5
Sold              50.1            13.3                  22.4                9.1                 39.0               59.6
                    +3.5            -53.9                 -78.9              -50.4               -15.5              -4.9
13/14
Spent            45.5            69.4                  112.8             50.2                102.0            107.2
Sold              11.3             1.5                    63.2              28.6                  10.3            110.8
                    -34.2           -67.9                  -49.6             -21.6                -91.7            +3.6

So in 18 Premier League Season this shows suprisingly to most who have never really looked at the cold hard facts that Wenger has not only spent the least out of the above clubs and by quite a margin he has also the smallest net loss. And considering that spans over 18 seasons maybe people should have a look over this and really have a good thing what they want from their club!

18 Seasons     Arsenal        Man Utd        Chelsea      Liverpool          Man City            Spurs
Spent               481.1            718.1            1.148.9          740.5                861.7                697.9
Sold                  419.1           340.2               587.9          417.0                231.3                420.5
Net Loss           -62.0            -377.9            -561.0          -323.5               -630.4               -227.4

Managers           1                    2                    12                6                       8                        10