Usmanov: Henry wants me to own Arsenal

"I like many footballers, and I'm in contact with some of them. Perhaps my favourite of the last ten, 15 years is Thierry Henry. He's pushing me to buy all of Arsenal's shares, but I cannot predict the future," the Uzbek-born billionaire told the French sports daily.

"When I had the chance to buy some shares and become one of the main shareholders in the club, I didn't hesitate for a second. I was even ready to take total control. That wasn't possible because certain people preferred to make a profit and create, using me, an outside enemy. I remain portrayed as a pirate, an enemy. They have won that game."
"For me, he's one of the best coaches in the world, but it's not easy for him," Usmanov said. "I think he deserves that players are brought in at Arsenal when they're needed.

"The best players, and not being satisfied with selling our best players to our rivals. If that happens, we can ask everything of him. But, today, he's sacrificed. Because of the policy, and we're all to blame. Everything's in Mr Kroenke's hands, and I hope he succeeds, even if he doesn't go along with my ideas."

He added: "The greatest achievement of Arsene Wenger is to have created two teams: the one that now plays for our rivals, and the one that is trying to be among the best in the Premier League.

"That's why I say it's not enough to merely flatter the coach, but to give him the possibility to buy the best players, superstars. But not just stars, but those chosen by Wenger.

"It's unthinkable that the shareholders get well-paid while, for small clauses in contracts, we lose key players, symbols like Robin van Persie, Mathieu Flamini or Patrick Vieira. We should have increased their salaries when they started to be courted, started to look elsewhere. I don't know why we didn't propose that to them."

With Usmanov on the outside looking in, as he has "no relationship" with Kroenke, he insisted his passion for the club was born at the end of the 1990s and remains intact.

"In my opinion, that team was as good as the current Barcelona side," Usmanov said. "It wasn't a question of money or prestige. It's a choice [to invest in the club] dictated by my emotions, those provoked in me by the club. And Arsenal's current situation remains an interesting investment.

"I would like to be useful for the club, and I can be. I understand football well, and can prove it, but I'll never force myself on anyone. For the moment, Arsenal don't seem to need me. But I remain convinced that Arsenal should have only one aim in every competition: first place and winning.

"All other theories are hypocrisy aimed at covering up weakness. I'm a strong man. If someone needs my help, my money, my know-how, anything I possess, I'm always ready."

srigooner wrote:I would like him more if his efforts at dividing fan opinions and sucking up to the fans when things are bad was not so obvious..

urbaNRoots wrote:I mistrust and dislike Silent Stan and I think he has no interest in real investment and success of the club.

I am profoundly disturbed by Usmanov and would hate him in control though.

“Arsenal should have only one aim in every competition, first place and winning.

Raptorgunner wrote:We need usmanov as he cares and is willing to invest into the club. usmanov is a proper football fan and Arsenal fan.

GoonerJay29 wrote:PR Spin #175.

The man has a very good PR team. They know when to pick their spots and they know what to say to try and get fans on his side.

But none of this is new, is it? It's the same stuff he's said a couple months back, which was the same stuff he said after van Persie released that statement in the summer. He says he has Arsenal's best interests at heart but it's very obvious he's saying these things with his own self-interest in mind. He's trying to divide the fanbase even more than it already is.

Just last weekend in the Brighton game a fight broke out over a banner that said "Thanks for the memories Arsene, but now it's time to move on" and that's not the first time something like that has happened. Fans have been divided into "Pro-Wenger" and "Anti-Wenger" groups. Fans are even further divided into "Pro-Board" and "Anti-Board". It's not helpful for the club to have this sort of segregation going on.

Then Usmanov comes along and stokes the flames a bit more. It would be in Arsenal's best interests for the fans to become united, but he just takes thinly-veiled shots at the current board while bigging himself up as some form of messiah.

It's very hard for me to trust a guy who is just so transparent. Equally, it's hard for me to trust a guy who's so silent, but Kroenke's biggest failing so far is that nothing has changed. He's just kind of "there", not really doing anything, as far as we know. I can see how that can lead to mistrust. Personally, I am neutral towards him; he's not done anything good or bad for the club.

Even so, money is there for Wenger to spend if he so desires to do so. There are methods out there that can elevate this club to a higher level again without this massive board revolution people are suggesting. Internally, we can improve the state of our coaching and tactics, and try and get better performances out of the players. Externally, we can spend that little bit more to get in better players. Is Kroenke standing in the way of that? I don't think so. He's left the playing side to Wenger and, as I've said, the resources are there.

This is more of a personal thing, but having been quite critical of the "sugar daddy" model in recent times, it would be hypocritical of me to start supporting a man who's proposing to do something similar with Arsenal. I believe our current model needs to be tweaked so that we are prepared to invest more in players, but I am still very much for self-sustainability.

The next couple of years are crucial for Arsenal with the new TV deal, new commercial deals and FFP all coming into play.

Raptorgunner wrote:Chelsea was playing that other day on heavy snow and that Abrahomiviq was sitting there with his smurf jacked watching the game, he is at almost every game. We need usmanov as he cares and is willing to invest into the club. usmanov is a proper football fan and Arsenal fan.

What you guys really want from him? just sit there and keep quit, I really like that he came out and said this, maybe this will make the board to sign few players.

Our board is disgusting and who have no respect for the fans.

This is what our board should say not finishing in the top 4.

srigooner wrote:

GoonerJay29 wrote:PR Spin #175.

The man has a very good PR team. They know when to pick their spots and they know what to say to try and get fans on his side.

But none of this is new, is it? It's the same stuff he's said a couple months back, which was the same stuff he said after van Persie released that statement in the summer. He says he has Arsenal's best interests at heart but it's very obvious he's saying these things with his own self-interest in mind. He's trying to divide the fanbase even more than it already is.

Just last weekend in the Brighton game a fight broke out over a banner that said "Thanks for the memories Arsene, but now it's time to move on" and that's not the first time something like that has happened. Fans have been divided into "Pro-Wenger" and "Anti-Wenger" groups. Fans are even further divided into "Pro-Board" and "Anti-Board". It's not helpful for the club to have this sort of segregation going on.

Then Usmanov comes along and stokes the flames a bit more. It would be in Arsenal's best interests for the fans to become united, but he just takes thinly-veiled shots at the current board while bigging himself up as some form of messiah.

It's very hard for me to trust a guy who is just so transparent. Equally, it's hard for me to trust a guy who's so silent, but Kroenke's biggest failing so far is that nothing has changed. He's just kind of "there", not really doing anything, as far as we know. I can see how that can lead to mistrust. Personally, I am neutral towards him; he's not done anything good or bad for the club.

Even so, money is there for Wenger to spend if he so desires to do so. There are methods out there that can elevate this club to a higher level again without this massive board revolution people are suggesting. Internally, we can improve the state of our coaching and tactics, and try and get better performances out of the players. Externally, we can spend that little bit more to get in better players. Is Kroenke standing in the way of that? I don't think so. He's left the playing side to Wenger and, as I've said, the resources are there.

This is more of a personal thing, but having been quite critical of the "sugar daddy" model in recent times, it would be hypocritical of me to start supporting a man who's proposing to do something similar with Arsenal. I believe our current model needs to be tweaked so that we are prepared to invest more in players, but I am still very much for self-sustainability.

The next couple of years are crucial for Arsenal with the new TV deal, new commercial deals and FFP all coming into play.

+1.

Like Arseblog put it, its not a want of resources at Arsenal. Its a want for spending what resources are available to address the issues in the squad. And Usmanov or Kroenke, either way its the decision of Arsene to spend on the squad, for the squad.

GoonerJay29 wrote:

Raptorgunner wrote:Chelsea was playing that other day on heavy snow and that Abrahomiviq was sitting there with his smurf jacked watching the game, he is at almost every game. We need usmanov as he cares and is willing to invest into the club. usmanov is a proper football fan and Arsenal fan.

What you guys really want from him? just sit there and keep quit, I really like that he came out and said this, maybe this will make the board to sign few players.

Our board is disgusting and who have no respect for the fans.

It's Usmanov's intention for you, and people of similar mindsets, to like what he says. He says the exact things you want to hear.

Fair enough if you think he's better for the club, but there are several people who can't trust someone so blatantly agenda-driven and so intent on dividing the fanbase. What I want from him is to keep his mouth shut and stop trying to create conflict because right now the last thing we need is a public board room power struggle.

This is what our board should say not finishing in the top 4.

Our current board has also said that they want to finish higher than fourth and they have the ambition to win trophies. Both statements are as meaningless as the other.

GoonerJay29 wrote:

This is what our board should say not finishing in the top 4.

Our current board has also said that they want to finish higher than fourth and they have the ambition to win trophies. Both statements are as meaningless as the other.

srigooner wrote:

GoonerJay29 wrote:

This is what our board should say not finishing in the top 4.

Our current board has also said that they want to finish higher than fourth and they have the ambition to win trophies. Both statements are as meaningless as the other.

To add to that Raptor, the same Donkey Ivan you hate so much has also said countless times that while top 4 finish is financially sustainable, the target of the team and the board and the manager is to win trophies.

Again, the resources that Usmanov wants to bring to the table can also be brought in through sponsorship deals instead of controlling stake in the board.

Heck, if I was a bloody gazillionaire with bottomless pockets, I would try to negotiate deals with my Arsenal to sponsor them through my companies within the 'justifiable sponsorship' rules of FFP. You would do the same. But that doesn't mean you or I need to buy the club, surely!

Raptorgunner wrote:All we hear is talk and no one seems to do anything about it. All the problems are put in Wenger's hand, and there should be others who make decisions. Wenger is trying to do too much and wants to be the guy who proves us all wrong.

Wenger is stubborn and the board listen to him, we need a real Manager not a Bank Manager.

Raptorgunner wrote:Pay off all the clubs debts and let Wneger do his job as Arsenal manager, all Wenger needs is for someone to untie his hands from behind his back. Wenger is trying to balance the books and make us compete, it worked for a while but we cant count on that.

It cant be that much by now, I don’t want to be a Man shity or Chelsea I just want a owner who does his part.

srigooner wrote:And just to be clear.

I do not trust Kroenke or Usmanov. I am critical of both their approaches.

But I still respect and trust Arsene.

Raptorgunner wrote:

srigooner wrote:And just to be clear.

I do not trust Kroenke or Usmanov. I am critical of both their approaches.

But I still respect and trust Arsene.

Who are the fans turning against? Wenger.

What is silent Satan doing? spending 150m in Australia.

We dont need a owner that will come in and splash cash, we need a owner who is there for the club when we need him.

We have Great history , Great stadium , Great reputation , Great manager and a Great fan base.

srigooner wrote:

Raptorgunner wrote:

srigooner wrote:And just to be clear.

I do not trust Kroenke or Usmanov. I am critical of both their approaches.

But I still respect and trust Arsene.

Who are the fans turning against? Wenger.

What is silent Satan doing? spending 150m in Australia.

We dont need a owner that will come in and splash cash, we need a owner who is there for the club when we need him.

We have Great history , Great stadium , Great reputation , Great manager and a Great fan base.

Thats my point Raptor! Where has Usmanov been all this while? How many games have we seen him at?