Premier League Side Arsenal Announces Half-Year Turnover Up 28% To £136M

Arsenal announced half-year turnover of £136M from football activities on Friday, making its "lack of transfer business in January all the more difficult to understand," according to Tom Hayward of REUTERS. The figures covered the six months to Nov. 30 "and represent a 28 percent rise." The results showed a group loss of £2.2M before tax "but that was mainly caused by the investment" Manager Arsene Wenger made in his squad in the close season. Matchday income rose from £37.8M-£45M, "boosted by the return of the Emirates Cup pre-season competition and the Champions League qualifying fixtures against Fenerbahce." Broadcasting revenue went up from £40.1M-£52M "as a result of Sky and BT's new contracts with the Premier League" while commercial and retail revenue climbed from £27.7M-£38.4M. The club "also announced a new five-year kit deal with Puma that will come into effect in the next financial year" (REUTERS, 2/15).