Arsenal have a chance to seal their qualification into the Champions League knockout stage with a victory over Marseille at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. Stan Kroenke addressed the players ahead of this match, but some of his comments to the press worry me.
Let’s start with the team news. Vermaelen and Jenkinson are good to go on Tuesday night. Marouane Chamakh has a “knee injury” according to Arsene Wenger and is not included in the squad. This could be one of those phantom injuries we see every now and then, because Chamakh has been useless this season.
Yossi Benayoun is fit and will likely start tomorrow. My starting eleven prediction: Santos (LB) , Vermaelen (CB), Mertesacker (CB), Jenkinson (RB), Arteta (CM), Song (CM), Benayoun (CM), Arshavin (LW), Park (ST), Walcott (RW). Wenger may decide to rest both Mertesacker and Koscielny, and go with Squillaci or Djourou. Robin will likely be on the bench as Wenger will not want to overwork him. Arshavin could play behind Park (like he did very effectively against Bolton), and Benayoun could move to the wing. A lot of options.
We need to finish top of the group, and a win against Marseille would go far in securing that top spot. The French side is second in the group, and a victory would put us four points ahead of our closest competitor(s). Dortmund have been dreadful, earning only a point. Olympiacos still have a shot even though they were considered the whipping boys when the [...]
Arsenal’s annual general meeting was held on Wednesday. Arsene Wenger gave a powerful speech, while Stan Kroenke’s comments supplied supporters with little insight. Shareholders were clearly frustrated with chairman Peter Hill-Wood. Reports are saying that the Gunners have opened up contract negotiations with Robin van Persie.
Wenger’s speech at the meeting was clearly from his heart. He stood up for the values of our club and the class with which the club operates (from Daily Mirror):
“I believe that the values we defend are highly defendable because we want to do things with class. We want of course to be very ambitious. We want to be very brave. I believe that this club has always been very brave in its decisions. The courage is a quality I admire because it is a highly needed quality in the modern world.”
Arsene believes that the fans need to get behind the team, and together Arsenal can achieve success. Wenger said that he believes that his squad have the right attitude and are ready to fight. He said this near the end of his speech (from Daily Mirror):
“And if I just would like to achieve one thing today it is: trust us, this team has qualities, this team will fight.” Click to read the full transcript of Wenger’s speech at the AGM. Stan Kroenke took a few minutes to introduce himself to the shareholders and supporters. The American majority shareholder has been quiet since his takeover last season. He was interested in several [...]
Alisher Usmanov is looking to make a strong push to become a factor in the Arsenal boardroom. This could create a feud with majority shareholder Stan Kroenke. So we must ask this question: Who would you rather see as the majority shareholder and decision maker at Arsenal?
Earlier this week, news broke that Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov will try to increase his stake in Arsenal from 29% to 30%. According to a number of sources, Usmanov will offer £14,500 a share to the smaller shareholders. Usmanov has repeatedly attempted to become a decision maker at the Emirates, but has failed so far.
American Stan Kroenke currently owns 66% of the shares. Kroenke and the shareholders that sold to him during the take over last season effectively shut Usmanov out of the boardroom. They did not want Arsenal falling into the hands of a sugar daddy with a checkered past.
Usmanov, like many Arsenal supporters, believes that more money needs to be spent on transfers and player wages. He has been critical of Kroenke’s self-sustaining model. The self-sustaining model, which was in place before the Kroenke takeover, has seen our club drop out of title contention this season.
It is clear that Usmanov desperately wants control over the Gunners. He is the 35th wealthiest person in the world, so he will be able to test the resolve of the minor shareholders, and maybe even Kroenke. If our club continues to skid, Gooners everywhere will be holding Kroenke partly [...]
The morning papers are linking Robin van Persie with a move to Manchester City to replace Carlos Tevez. Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke broke his silence and talked about a wide range of issues, including Arsene Wenger, Samir Nasri, and Cesc Fabregas.
According to The Guardian, Manchester City see Robin van Persie as a direct replacement for the disgruntled Carlos Tevez. Even with the transfer window three months away, Van Persie is already a hot topic of disussion inside City. The Dutchman revealed earlier this week that he was not interested in negotiating a new contract with Arsenal this season.
Mancini and company know they have to sell Tevez for the reduced price of £20 million or less. If RVP refuses to sign a new contract, he has to go. Maybe Arsene Wenger will be able to work a swap for Tevez. Carlos Tevez and cash to Arsenal and Manchester City get RVP.
The rumours around the Dutchman will only multiply as we head towards January. It is ridiculous because Robin’s contract does not run out until the end of next season. The Gunners will have more leverage because they can chose to keep Van Persie until the summer. But Arsenal, seeing the extraordinary fees paid for Torres and Carroll last winter, may be wise to sell in January.
Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kronke is no longer “Silent Stan.” The American told The Telegraph (from The Guardian): “I have tremendous confidence in [Arsene]. He is one of the great managers in the world. Arsene is one of my [...]
Arsenal majority shareholder Stan Kroenke was in London yesterday to discuss Cesc Fabregas. Barcelona are desperate to buy Fabregas in the next eleven days.
According to Daily Mail, American Stan Kroenke was at the Emirates Stadium yesterday for members day. Kroenke was also in London to talk with Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis regarding Fabregas.
Barcelona have reportedly submitted a £35 million offer for the Gunners’ captain, but £5m of the fee is add-ons. Not to mention Cesc will have to take a pay-cut to help Barcelona pay his transfer fee. Arsene Wenger wants £40m for the Spanish star.
According to The Independent, Kroenke supports Wenger’s price for Fabregas. The American owner will let Arsene hold firm with Barcelona at £40m. Barcelona will either have to pay up or leave Cesc alone.
Andreas Iniesta had not yet decided to leave Arsenal and Fabregas alone, telling ESPN: “We have said it many times before. We would be thrilled with his arrival. We are speaking about one of the best, but it all depends on the two clubs as well as the player’s wishes.”
Arsenal have basically set an 11-day deadline for Barcelona in their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas. In mid-August (17 or 18), the Gunners will play the first leg of their Champions League qualifier. If Fabregas features in the match, he will be unable to play for another club in this season’s Champions League.
Barcelona will be desperate to secure Cesc before Arsenal begin the qualification. Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri will be suspended [...]
Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis both have spoken about our club’s upcoming summer plans in recent days. Wenger predicts that both Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas will stay with Arsenal for quite some time. Gazidis expects Wenger to be very busy once the transfer window opens.
Here is what Wenger told the Sun: “We will do everything to keep Nasri at the club. My wish is that he stays here. If he looks back he can see that he’s come quite a long way with us, and I think there is still a bit to do. It’s the club that makes the player’s career.
“I will be pretty clear about this. For me, Fabregas is with Arsenal for a long time and he will stay with Arsenal. It sometimes happens that the rumour can make the transfer.
“Next year will see the introduction of the financial fair play system, which will limit the big transfers. I think this is the last year that the summer will be hot – very hot.”
Very interesting from Wenger, but a bit naive. I believe that Nasri is pulling off a negotiation stunt that we have seen other players try recently. Ultimately, he will be an Arsenal player next season. Cesc is a completely different story. He has made it clear that he wants to play for Barcelona, and I do not think trophies will change that.
This summer will be very hot, Arsene. If you look at Wenger’s recent transfer record, you would think that these [...]
Alisher Usmanov, a minority (30%) owner of Arsenal, believes that the board is to blame for the trophy drought (told to News of the World): “If the role of a board member is to oversee a trophy-less period, while making significant personal profits and asking fans to pay inflation-busting ticket price increases then, no, I would not want to be on the board.
“If instead it is to try to deliver sustained success, to increase your personal investment in the club, to help develop the commercial position and to ensure the fans have a say in the running of the club then, yes, I think I certainly have something to contribute.
In other news, remember when I posted the comments from RVP yesterday regarding English players partying too much. Yes, well, as I predicted, the Dutchman has denied those comments on Twitter. Does the media have a grudge on van Persie or does van Persie frequently say things he regrets?
“In terms of doing things differently, let me give you a very clear example. Arsenal has all of its major commercial contracts coming up for renewal in the next couple of years.”
Certainly some very strong words from the Russian billionaire. Maybe he is just bitter of his failed takeover. Or maybe, because he is on the inside, he knows something we do not. The board may be in it for profit and profit only. Usmanov did not stop there though:
”It’s no secret that to maximise the value of [...]
Stan Kroenke’s bid to buy Arsenal Football Club has been approved by the Premier League. Aaron Ramsey thinks Arsene Wenger needs to make some serious changes this summer. Gareth Bale is confident that Tottenham can finish above Arsenal next season, a bold statement to say the least.
American Stan Kroenke now officially owns 63% of our beloved Arsenal. The Premier League has made it official yesterday. However, Alisher Usminov has not given up his dream of someday owning the club. Kroenke had this to say after becoming majority shareholder:
“As the controlling shareholder of Arsenal football club, it will always be our intention to do what’s necessary to assure success on the pitch, provide long-term stability and build on the accomplishments and history of the club.
“The club has funds to invest and will do so wisely. Our constant aim will be to compete for silverware and championships.
“Arsenal is not about one shareholder, one player or one fan. It’s a special institution and we look forward to celebrating that further during the 125th anniversary year of the club.”
Kroenke seems like the responsible owner of a club. He does not want to drive the club into debt by borrowing funds to buy the club (Glazers). Stan also is not the guy who will fire a manager a year after he won the double (Ibramovich). Do you think Kroenke can help bring silverware back to Arsenal?
Aaron Ramsey believes that it is finally time for Arsene to be a buyer in the [...]
Many Gunner stories to get to today so let us not delay. First off, Thomas Vermaelen will be available for the game against Stoke at the weekend. Also, Stan Kroenke stands by his guns as he vows not to do it the Glazer way. Arsene Wenger continues to warn both the FA and Jack Wilshere over the harms of overworking a young player. All of these stories will be covered.
The Verminator is back. First we learned this from Wenger: “Thomas Vermaelen is available and could be in the squad.” When the official squad was announced, the Belgian centre half was included. There was no indications from Arsene on whether Vermaelen will start. Johan Djourou was fit enough to be in the squad after injury concerns cause him to be removed from the match against United.
There were a few notable exceptions from Wenger’s 25-man squad. Cesc Fabregas was will not able to contribute due to a thigh injury. This is the same injury that kept El Capitan from playing against the Red Devils. You have to wonder if his next game he plays for Arsenal will be one of his last. Two Frenchmen will also miss the Stoke game due to injuries. Samir Nasri is suffering from a hamstring issue while Abou Diaby is battling a calf problem.
Aaron Ramsey will likely earn a second straight start because of the absence of Cesc. The Welshman scored the winner in one of the more memorable matches this season. Look for [...]
Arsene clearly wantes Wilshere to take some time off this summer.
Arsene Wenger spoke to the media today about a number of issues. Chief among them was the new ownership. Everyone has heard about Stan Kroenke and the takeover of the club. That takeover is still in doubt because Usminov has said that he will not sell his 27% of the club. The AST (Arsenal Supporters Trust) have also said that they will not be selling their shares. Wenger said today that even if Kroenke takes over, things will be done the Wenger way:
“We will continue to run the club with the technical department having the decision on what is technical.
“For all the rest I have to answer to Stan Kroenke and I am ready for any questions, but I run the technical department. On the football side of things we will continue to focus on the football the way we want to play it to develop our players.
“We have a squad which is about 23 years of age who are in a strong position in the league. We have a certain philosophy of football and we will continue to develop that and to play even better.
“We will continue to run the club like it has been done until now – that means live within our resources, produce our own resources and develop our football team.”
Wenger talked with Kroenke at a meeting on Thursday. We all know that as long as Wenger is here, [...]
