Arsenal are set to face off with Sunderland this weekend in their first Premier League encounter since 2017.
There has been plenty of change for the two teams in the time since, underlining a wild eight years of football.
Arsenal have turned into Premier League title contenders under Mikel Arteta, with their sights firmly set on winning it this year.
[
Click to subscribe to the podcast ](https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheBackFour?sub_confirmation=1)
Sunderland have been down to League One and promoted twice in the time since, with a whole new team that has taken well to life back in the Premier League.
Despite the financial differences between the two teams, there is one clear myth about the squad value that needs to be busted.
Granit Xhaka reacts during Sunderland vs Everton
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
The difficulty in valuing Arsenal’s and Sunderland’s squads
Sunderland’s impressive start to the Premier League season has them punching above their weight, crashing into the top four as it stands.
It remains to be seen if they can stay there, with results against the top sides needed to keep them in contention.
Arsenal are one of those teams who have greater financial backing than Sunderland, but the true difference in their overall squad value is tough to calculate.
That was explained by TBR Football’s finance expert, Adam Williams, who said: “Squad value is a tricky concept to pin down. You have some research firms that try to do a scientific analysis of player value, and that can be useful in getting a flavour of two clubs’ squad values. But ultimately, value isn’t a scientific metric. It’s beholden to market forces, which are based on human behaviour and game theory.
“Look at the £17 million Sunderland paid for Granit Xhaka, for example. A lot of clubs might have turned their noses up at paying that much for a 33-year-old, but because Sunderland knew he was the right fit for them, they saw value there. It looks like an inspired signing now.
“Value is also dictated by the length remaining on player contracts, their image rights and so on. So it’s very difficult to say Club X’s squad is better than Club Y’s with any real precision.
“However, even after a big summer of spending, Sunderland are still in a different universe than Arsenal when it comes to the wage bill and their annual amortisation, which is how clubs account for transfer fees over a period of time.
“We don’t have up-to-date figures, but Arsenal’s overall wage bill is probably pushing £400 million this season. Probably 75 per cent of that is attributable to the first team.
Arsenal players celebrate during the Premier League game vs Crystal Palace
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
“If they win a major trophy, bonuses will easily take it beyond that mark. Amortisation, meanwhile, is running at about £180 million or so, according to my rough calculations.
“With Sunderland, it’s a bit harder to estimate. But looking at the profile of player they’ve signed, I’d say the wage bill will probably be something like £80 million.
“Amortisation, meanwhile, will likely be about £30 million. This is rough estimation stuff, but it gives you an idea of the gulf. The Premier League is so stratified like that.”
In terms of value for money, Sunderland have certainly got it so far, while Arsenal are doing everything in their power to get over the line.
Whether both can achieve their goals this season remains to be seen, but either side winning in their head-to-head could go a long way towards it.