Usmanov claims Henry wants him to takeover at Arsenal

Alisher Usmanov, Arsenal‘s second largest shareholder after Stan Kroenke, has told French daily L’Equipe that former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has asked him to takeover the club by buying up all the shares. The Russian businessman, who is the 28th richest man in the world, holds a 29.9% stake in the London club, a stake which was bought from former vice-chairman David Dein. Interestingly, David Dein’s son Darren Dein is Thierry Henry’s best friend. Rumour mill had it that last month at a charity dinner in Moscow, Usmanov and Henry had a meeting. However, for Usmanov to take control, he needs American Stan Kroenke to sell his stake, which at the moment looks highly unlikely.

The Russian billionare said,”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.”

“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.”

Usmanov makes it clear to that Arsene Wenger has his full support and understands that the Frenchman needs cash to spend for Arsenal to compete at the highest level. Wenger has done extremely well to keep Arsenal in Champions League after seeing his star players move to greener pastures year after year.

“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.”

“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.”

He also added,”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.”

Whether the Russian oligarch sees Arsenal as another money making machine or is he just another Roman Abramovic, remains to be seen. One of the main problems for Arsenal is not the lack of money, it is Arsene Wenger’s reluctance to spend it. And as far as Usmanov’s vision is concerned, there are way many problems for him to succeed. Stan Kroenke, the majority stakeholder, would be mad to sell his shares at a moment when the club is doing well financially with a new stadium. And of course, even if Usmanov somehow becomes the majority stakeholder, UEFA’s financial fairplay rules won’t allow him to inject his personal income into the club.