Tomorrow evening, Arsenal will be visited by a vision of a possible future. The clash with German titans Bayern Munich could end up being more than just a footballing lesson.

Arsenal’s opponents arrive 15 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, an incredible feat for a league that is arguably the most competitive in Europe.

They will employ Pep Guardiola next season as their manager. They boast an astonishing array of world-class talent in their ranks, combined with a financial base that will see them strongly through the coming changes threatened by Financial Fair Play.

Role model

For all Arsenal’s labels of a ‘Barcelona-lite’ in recent years, their approach for the future is far more similar to that of Bayern’s, and most Bundesliga clubs.

Arsenal practise a self-sustaining business model, with all money used being generated by the club, with no outside investment.

The issue with their structure at present is the lack of enormous commercial deals to ensure the money generated is enough to compete with rivals funded by oil money. Arsenal can even look to Manchester United, who use their commercial power to similar effect.

Bayern Munich earn $150 million a year from their deal with Adidas alone, a contract slightly complicated by both organisations owning shares in the other, but that’s still an incredible sum, and only the tip of their sponsorship iceberg.

Arsenal wish to aim for similar; they cannot hope for backing of that level but can still aim for a £70-90 million injection from base kit and sponsorship deals alone.

After that the commercial team need to rouse themselves from their slumber and deal with the smaller deals, the phone providers and car manufacturers that give Manchester United their unassailable advantage in the FFP field.

On-pitch

Of course, to get the biggest sponsorship deals you need on-pitch success, which Arsenal have lacked of late. However, funds are still available from summer onwards (due to an advance on the new Emirates deal) for that to perhaps become a reality. Promise can pay as much as delivery, and Arsenal have promise.

Which brings us to another similarity between Arsenal and Bayern. Arsenal of late have attempted to build a British core of players, young British talent tied down on long-term contracts with clauses to reward them for good performance, something that wasn’t done with the likes of Samir Nasri, Mathieu Flamini and Alex Song.

Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey, Carl Jenkinson and the jewel in the crown, Jack Wilshere. These are the players who form Arsenal’s spine in the future, with the intention being to supplement this with world-class talent from elsewhere. Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla can be examples in this field, but more must be done.

Bayern Munich, despite their FC Hollywood nickname, boast a similar core of German players. Phillip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, and the latest gem to come from their youth system, Tony Kroos.

All these players are older and more experienced, but that’s because Bayern’s youth generation have fulfilled their promise and are now tied indefinitely to the club.

This German base is then complemented by the likes of Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Javi Martinez, Mario Manduzcik, and others. The contrast in fortunes, yet the possibility for emulation is plain to see.

Fan-friendly

This is a Premier League problem, but Arsenal are often highlighted for ticket pricing issues, and Bayern can again be seen as an inspiration.

A season ticket can cost as little as £70, and this leads to massive gate numbers and high attendance. Combined with the presence of a superstore within the Allianz Arena and fans can be a cash cow that feels valued instead of ignored. Fans are a crucial part of football, and with a more loyal, open fanbase that will provide a greater atmosphere at games, Arsenal can blaze a trail in new ways.

Arsenal may somehow overcome Bayern tomorrow, and again in a few weeks time, knocking out one of the favourites for the Champions League. But that doesn’t mean they can learn any less from the approach of this European giant, and join those similar high echelons themselves.

Latest: