ALISHER USMANOV ARSENAL THREAT

What's all the hoopla about? The saying is " the only constant thing in life is CHANGE". The world is so dynamic that we can't predict the next moment. However, one can only stay within or ahead of competition if only one allows the instrument of change to come in. Nothing is static in life. The WORLD of FOOTBALL ( SOCCER ) is no exception to this phenomenon called CHANGE. The way and manner that football is moving now is an indication of the effect of technological innovations sweeping accross the global in every facet of our existence. Innovation has brought with it improved performance in sports, football inclusive and at a cost. Current Players are products of this technological innovations. Monies are spent in training them exclusively on top range performance. Efforts are no more on raw talents only, but also on enhanced delivery. Gone are the days of PELE, MARADONA, BOBBY MOORE and CHARLTON, when it was raw talent and skill that's all the requirement needed to perform. Remember also, the objective is to attract the best talent to your team and win trophies and altimately dividends to the investing publics or shareholder. In every venture, you spend to hire the best to be the best in other to reap the best. Stop throwing us into heart aches every season. It takes alot of sacrifices to be a supporter. And when your team suffer, you equally suffer.

By Ikechukwu Ogbonna. Posted July 13 2009 at 12:51 PM.

What's all the hoopla about? The saying is " the only constant thing in life is CHANGE". The world is so dynamic that we can't predict the next moment. However, one can only stay within or ahead of competition if only one allows the instrument of change to come in. Nothing is static in life. The WORLD of FOOTBALL ( SOCCER ) is no exception to this phenomenon called CHANGE. The way and manner that football is moving now is an indication of the effect of technological innovations sweeping accross the global in every facet of our existence. Innovation has brought with it improved performance in sports, football inclusive and at a cost. Current Players are products of this technological innovations. Monies are spent in training them exclusively on top range performance. Efforts are no more on raw talents only, but also on enhanced delivery. Gone are the days of PELE, MARADONA, BOBBY MOORE and CHARLTON, when it was raw talent and skill that's all the requirement needed to perform. Remember also, the objective is to attract the best talent to your team and win trophies and altimately dividends to the investing publics or shareholder. In every venture, you spend to hire the best to be the best in other to reap the best. Stop throwing us into heart aches every season. It takes alot of sacrifices to be a supporter. And when your team suffer, you equally suffer.

By Ikechukwu Ogbonna. Posted July 13 2009 at 12:23 PM.

Let us not forget that this same board said terrible things about Kroenke. So why should I believe them this time.

The thruth is that the club is going to be sold anyway to Kroenke or Usmanov - what is the difference. If Kroenke is supporting Wenger right now with cash, I wouldn't care less about Usmanov - right now he is not. We ar Usmanove certainly going to fall short again this year, and may inadvertently lose Wenger because more fans will definately turn on him.

By Dalo (Gon4ever). Posted July 12 2009 at 5:23 PM.

Let me just briefly explain what a right's issue is because its clear some of you just don't get it;
Essentially more shares are released into the stockmarket, meaning that the current shares are worth less money. It's the same principle as if you owned £100 and only £100 existed in the world, you would control the whole world. But if someone else found another £100 then you would only have half the money in the world, so only control half of it.
If Uzmanov's plan had of been accepted then yes, people like Uzmanov, like Kronke and like the people you seem to critisize, like Fitzman, would lose money. However so would the hundreds and hundreds of Arsenal fans who have put their own money into the club in the form of shares. These people aren't billionaires, just true Arsenal fans, do you think its fair to just take away their money?
In addition, let's think, if the right's issue was approved who would buy these new shares - Uzmanov. That would take his shareholding to above 30% and mean a formal bid must be produced. Once this happens it would only be a matter of time and money until our club was in the hands of one big sugar daddy. And a Manchester United supporting one at that. It is not what we want as a football club. Look how much money Liverpool and United are spending in net transfers this summer - hardly the riches that Uzmanov is proposing. As for the right's issue, think about it this way £40 million of new players or Uzmanov as an owner -I know what i'd choose.

By Kris. Posted July 12 2009 at 4:03 PM.

If we want to compete and win trophies then we have to improve the team. And if we find it difficult to raise money to buy players to improve the team then we have a problem. That is the situation we find ourselves right now. There would not be any board if our football club is not in existence. I for one don't care about Usmanov, Dean or even Ivan Gazidis and Kroenke looks, the most important thing is improving the team we all claim to love. Right now the team really need improvement if we are to compete. Nasri, Ashavin deals took forever, Alonso's deal never happened and for Milo, lets just say Florentina cant wait forever. Arsenal football club need cash injection and if we dont want Usmanov's millions, then Let Ivan Gazidis and Kroenke do the right thing by giving Wenger some money and enough of this stock buying!

By oluwafemi. Posted July 12 2009 at 2:35 PM.

Usmanov and Dein are not the right move for AFC, in the past Dein was a great negotiator on behalf of the club, also a good friend of wenger.
Remeber Dein wanted to go to Wembley and not build the Emirates, Dein overall vision of the Club is one that has a boom and bust theme to it and by getting into bed with Usmanov seems like a kid who has had his toy taken away.
Kroenke and Gazidis with their sports background is the right move for AFC these guys know all about being competative in a sport market without the BUST factor involved.
Besides does anyone think that wenger would start spending £20m+ on a player unless we feel into the Dein hands and he strarted acting like Perez of Madrid and was buying the players above wenger, then watch the door being slammed as wenger walks out
long live wenger gazidis kroenke era...

By matt brown. Posted July 12 2009 at 12:49 PM.

I'm not an idiot and not a non season ticket holder. A veteran of the old schoolboys 71 and graduated to clock end via north bank. If you are a true regular you probably know me. Nicked 18 times late 70s to mid eighties.
Now let's look at year start of the season.
Most teams play 5 games over a period when we play only 4 games.
Our 4 games 3 away Everton, man city, man utd and portsmouth at home. Plus a champions league qualifyer.
I predict after these games we will be way behind the pace and anarchy will break out amongst the fans. We pay the highest prices but are told no money to spend on players! Its ridiculous. We don't want man city or Chelsea level of funding we just need something to compliment Arsenes great work!
By the way! It was a rights issue Usmanov offerered! Stop getting sucked in by the PR of the board! A rights issue would mean everyone including the hot dog seller has to put in equal pro rats amount of money depending on how many shares they own. Usmanov is prepared to put in but the rest want to hold on to their profit. FACT!!
Being back Dein, make Arsene Happy! Give him some money and Dein and let's get back to being a respected football club not a laughing stock!

By dave . Posted July 12 2009 at 12:29 PM.

Dein is responsible for Usmanov position at the club and though Dein left on shall we say not the best of terms I believe that he still loves the club and wouldn’t knowingly introduce anybody that he felt would harm the club in any way.
Dein fell out with the board because he lost sight of the key word at The Arsenal “Patience!!” Hence Usmanov,he wanted to come riding back into the Emirates riding his white charger that is Usmanov firing “£50 notes from tanks on the lawn” not sure who I’m quoting.
Usmanov wanted a foothold into a major club as much for an investment as a plaything to compete with his mate over at Chelski, a self-confessed Manure fan (how stupid was that) that rubs shoulders with Abramovic is not right for the club.
Let him call an EGM he’s spent his millions he’s earned the right, as long as the board and the fans stand firm it will all blow over, The Arsenal machine will keep rolling on picking up momentum as players fulfil their potential, and when the football world sits up and takes notice maybe more will realise that £30 million players start as youngsters with potential, in which case our team will be packed with multi million pound talent the only difference being that they will all have equity.
Why the Invincibles were allowed to grow old and break up without the foresight to have to have backup in place is for another debate, nobody’s perfect and I certainly won’t criticize the Le Boss.
Patience is the key we are nearly there.......

By Andy. Posted July 12 2009 at 11:33 AM.

Usmanov doesn't want to give £100 million and stay where he is it was rejected because if the baord took up on the offer by Usmanov then it would create more shares in Arsenal and if none of the board bought them up they would go to the underwriter (Usmanov) and therefore he would have the largest share in Arsenal and would have to launch full takeover bid. He isn't giving money to spend on players he is giving money to try buy his way to the boardroom and I can't beleive that so called 'supporters' just want the money. When has Arsene ever spent big money, some of the best players we have had havn't been over £12 mil e.g. Henry £12mil, Vieira £4mil, Petit £5mil, Overmars £6mil, Pires £7mil, Van Persie £2.5mil so why all of a sudden do we need to spend £30mil on players when most time they not worth it it just prices being hiked up by Man City and Real Madrid I mean no player and I mean no player should be worth £80 million

By Joel. Posted July 12 2009 at 10:58 AM.

What u lot on about? he's no good?May i remind you that Mr David Dien is on the russians side. i much rather mr dien in charge of the club than anyone in the world. he is a bigger fan than all of us put together!

By matt. Posted July 12 2009 at 11:05 AM.

It is a shame that we are unable to compete with the wealthier clubs in the transfer market. This does not mean that we have to totally restructure the business plan in order to placate this person. We shall continue to rely on the maestro and his spending of limited funds. We never want to be another club that allows laundering of dirty cash for the sake of success. Sod off Usmanov. Go and buy a cheaper team, perhaps that outfit down the road !!!!

By all gooners together. Posted July 12 2009 at 11:03 AM.

Infamous English xenophobia in action again! He is bad becaue he is ugly, he is bad because he does not support Arsenal (although he has been to many games, and more than Kroenke too)! SO WHO IS GOOD FOR THE CLUB, THE CURRENT ENGLISH BOARD? PETER HILL-WOOD, WHO NEVER OPENS HIS MOUTH TO SAY SOMETHING RIGHT? LET THE CURRENT ENGLISH/AMERCIAN BOARD GET RICH ON NO SPENDING FOR WENGER, AND IF THINGS FAIL, THEY WILL BLAME ARSENE! TO TOP IT ALL, ONE FINE DAY THEY DECIDE IT IS INDEED ALL RIGHT TO SELL TO ARABS OR RUSSIOAN OR THAI DICTATORS! PATHETIC!

By Alan. Posted July 12 2009 at 9:57 AM.

Arsenal fans, please realise that this guy is no good for us. As frustrating as all this is with not winning trophies for the past 4 seasons, maybe we should be grateful that we've run a financially stable football club in tough times and still maintain our status in the top 4.

Kroenke may well buy out the rest of the club eventually, but i'd rather he take over than Usmanov. Kroenke runs sports clubs, it's his business. Arsenal is a great football club, but it's also a BUSINESS! Do the fans want us becoming the next Leeds???? Thought not.

By Alan. Posted July 12 2009 at 9:33 AM.

The muppets supporting this guy must truly be the most STUPID people on the planet..The guy is not even an Arsenalfan so why does he keep working his ass off too "rock the boat" dispire the (intelligent)fans , the board showing how reluctant we are to his envolvement.

Why doesnt this faker donate us the cash or offer us a huge interest free loan.. if he cares so much for Arsenals wellbeing .. hes a billionare after all .. plus he owns 25% of the stock so It'll be like giving to himself..

The sooner this guys stops interfiering with Arsenal affairs the better. Say no to SugarDaddys especially when theyre Jabba looking.

By lettraggad. Posted July 12 2009 at 9:04 AM.

"You guys don't realise that even Hill-Wood and Kroenke are treating the club as a business". Nice spot, first poster. And in your world Usmanov will treat it as a much loved only child, bestowing on it a much money as he can offer, bankrupting himself in the process? Arsenal, if you hadn't noticed, is a business. It always has been. If it can't finance itslef, it will go to the wall. Just like any other business. Usmanov is an opportunist with no love either of football or of Arsenal. The current board and Kroenke have a history of making sports clubs work. Get with the grown ups.

By clcokendrider. Posted July 12 2009 at 8:56 AM.

Typical pub going football fans who don't think with their minds!!!
You guys always have fear and hatred of foriegner's and hence don't mind Stan Kroenke taking over the club rather than Usmanov and that is th key reason behind the reluctance to go for Usmanov's money. PLEASE ACCEPT THE FACT THAT ALL THOSE WHO DON'T WANT HIS MONEY DO NOT LOVE THE CLUB AND JUST DON'T WANT THE CLUB TO GO TO A NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING PERSON!!! You guys don't realise that even Hill-Wood and Kroenke are treating the club as a business and hence trophies and vicotry don't mean anything to them...they are analysing Arsenal in economic terms and not a club that needs valour and fans who support a club because they want to see it succeed. Try telling any Manure fan that they should keep patience and their club will win the premiership in the next ten years and they will fart in your face. We don't spend money every match to see our team win that match. No fan thinks that he has come to see the current to undertand how his team is preparing to win a game ten years down the line, it is that the current game, current season and current title that means the most, we may be dead ten years henceforth!!!!

By guest. Posted July 12 2009 at 7:59 AM.

Are u arsenal fans blind...?cnt u c wat as bn hapn 2 arsenal 4 d past 4 hears.d prernt board at arsenal ar selfish scarms.luk in d case of melo,y cldn they jst release £15 plus eboue 4 hm,instead ddnt wnt 2 spnd money,nd offerd total nonsenc.lets face d facts,we arnt goin 2 win titles ds season,cuz we dnt hv d strikn force to do so,nd d defence is shambolic.we need money to do ds,or else we wl pay d great price.pls reason wt me..

By Stephan. Posted July 12 2009 at 6:57 AM.

IF Usmanov had any decency about him he would have done whatever he wanted to do in May not wait until it's to late to rock the apple cart in August.

Shows what sort of man he is to use the media to unstablise the club.

Usmanov - Please leave Arsenal alone from the fans.

By ClockEnders Ben. Posted July 12 2009 at 4:22 AM.

"dave . Posted July 12 2009 at 2:56 AM." What an idiot you are. I bet you do not even pay for a season ticket. You are just another so called 'supporter' who cannot see that the Usmanovs of this world are only init for the money.

The current board do not take dividends out of the club. Jabba the hutt will.

By Steve. Posted July 12 2009 at 4:38 AM.

This idiot is no friend to The Arsenal - he's a money grabbing moron waiting to bring the club down. This is all down to David Dein.

For anyone to say we will overtaken by Spurs has no football knowledge. Do you want us in debt up to our eyeballs?
Usmanov should go!!!!! and now!

By Sue. Posted July 12 2009 at 3:21 AM.

Well well well,
The arsenal board and Ivan gazidis supporters are out in force very quickly. Must say very good PR guys.
Well the fact is we left the old days behind when we left Highbury. We are now trying to play with the big boys and I'm afraid the fact is we have to keep up.
We charge the highest ticket prices yet we have little or no money for the transfer market! At the same time the board rejects the rights issue propsal.
Hmmm... Why's that then? I can tell you. The current board are all waiting to sell their stakes in the club for the highest possible price. But those board members do not want to risk any of the tens of millions of profit they will make on their shareholdings. So they won't contribute to a rights issue to buy new players because its hand in pocket time and they don't want to do that. Instead they gamble that Wenger will keep producing his magic and keep us in the top four. Once the recession is over they plan to sell up.
Usmanov wants to put his hand in his pocket and whilst its in his interests it is also in the interest of Arsenal football club. A combination of Wengers kids, youth policy, usmanovs money and David Dein are the best way forward!!
Without the above solution we are heading for disaster.
Being back David Dein now! Its all gone wrong and going wrong since he left.
Wenher' dein and usmanov will be the magic ticket to take us forward.
Ivan Gazidis has no previous experience of premiership or even English football. He and Kroenke should concentrate on selling hot dogs.

By dave . Posted July 12 2009 at 2:56 AM.

Please Jabba the Hutt, just go away!!!!

Like Greg House says, we don't want to become the next Chelski or Man City. Any Arsenal fan who wants that is just a plastic fan symptomatic of Arsene's reign and the Invincibles.

We won't win everything every season, but we can at least retain our identity and what makes this club what it is!!!

All the plastic fans want £30m signings and see City, Villa and Everton as real threats despite the fact we still have a far better team than any of those three.

As every year goes on more money will be freed up from our stadium repayments to keep this club in the game. In ten years time we won't need Usmanov's money because we'll be making millions in profits from the stadium once the debts are paid.

If we have to sell, sell to Kroenke who wants to maintain the professional element of the club, maintain our dignity and not turn the club into a circus. Plus he has experience running a sports club!

But for now, we're doing okay and there's no reason why we shouldn't win something this season.

I will march on the stadium if Usmanov is allowed to take over.

We don't want to be some billionaire's plaything!

By Matthew. Posted July 12 2009 at 2:02 AM.

We dont need your charity Usmanov, we all know you are secretly a man united fan!

By Marcel. Posted July 12 2009 at 12:31 AM.

We don't want him interfering with our club, we don't want to be turned into a soulless corporate side just to appease some rich people.

Arsenal has always been a well run football club, we never had the riches to compete with the richer sides but at the end of the day we've won the Premier League more times since it's inception than Liverpool and Chelsea have and they've spent twice as much as we have.

It's time for the fans to face facts, we will never spend £30m on a world star, we never have and we never will.

Usmanov and David Dein will turn us into a cash cow and we'll be overtaken by Spurs, you mark my words.

By Greg House. Posted July 12 2009 at 12:43 AM.

Who said we won't qualify?

By Benny Hill. Posted July 12 2009 at 12:13 AM.