Usmanov – It is Logical to Invest to Build a Winning Team
The Russian billionaire Elisha Usmanov has made it clear that if he had a controlling interest in the Arsenal board, then he would be spending money on the first-team, not just for the sake of it but as a way of making more money in the future.
He has slammed the current board for just making oodles of cash out of the club rather than building a team to win trophies, and he urges Stan Kroenke to change the philosophy of a club that just wants to be in the Top Four to gain the cash from Champions League entry.
He said: “If the role of a board member is to oversee a trophyless 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 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.
“It’s no secret that to maximise the value of those you want to have success on the field and be winning trophies. To do that you need to invest now in building a winning team. This is simple commercial logic. Whether it comes to pass, we shall see.”
The big problem with Kroenke telling Wenger to invest big money to bring success to Arsenal, is that the manager may have forgotten how to negotiate when there are other big teams involved in the bidding!
I saw an interesting statistic the other day. Chelsea pay out 82% of their revenue in wages, whereas Arsenal pay out a paltry 49% (with many more players on the books), so where does the other 51% go? Surely the debts are not that big?
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Usmanov is right what he said. I agree. There are some sugar babies in arsenal board. Those selfish people only aim their benefit not Arsenal’s, thats the main problem our club ìs facing now. Directors are feeding our money. So we cant blame Wenger for our failure to bring back the premier league. He hadnt been given enough money to spend for years. Those directors will destroy our club.
I think Usmanov is the right person to takeover the club not kroenke. Usmanov is 3rd most rich person in Russia. Abramovich is only 6th according to Forbes. Usmaov is 3times richer than kroenke. So he is the right person to takeover the club. He knows our feelings. His words ensure us that he vil consider the fans’ words. I urge Arsenal Supporters Trust to meet him and discuss the matters with him. It is the right time for us to act otherwise our club will deteriorate in the upcoming years. So ACT ACT ACT. Its the time to begin the SAVE ARSENAL MOVEMENT.
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Usmanovs logic is sound and being as Kroenke has a high business reputation he can hardly refute it. It remains to be seen whether or not Kroenke will take charge of the board. The means by which he aquired the controlling shares suggests he sympathizes with the old guard and that`s not a good sign. Usmanov may decide to let him have some of his shares in return for a seat on the board, who knows?
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I made this statements last time. I said that the entire board and wenger should be blamed for arsenal problems. Up till now the board has not known their mistakes. Next season will be the worst for arsenal. The youth policy has failed. He can only has Jack from the youth team. Who else nobody. It is time for ACTION.
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amen usmanov. God help you realize that dream for arsenal
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The silence from Arsene Wenger on new signings is deafening.
It will be the same has it has been for the last 4 years. Good ordinart players from the French 2nd division for not much while Utd, City, Liverpool, Chelski and the Spuds spend.
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i totally agree with Usmanov surely the board is milking the cow an not feeding it,does the board think that we are happy to see the man u,baca s,abramovichs of to day lifting trophis an we aren,t,do u think we enjoy it year in year out,paying for very expesive tickets time is going to came when we shall stop going to stadiums an see how they are going go on with out us.
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Spot on isaaciru enough is enough we keep dreaming of winning the champions legue with such a board nothing will happen just wish Usmanov was the one takin over arsenal…just imangin,pliz Usmanov do not giv up to fight for us u our servier.
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@ibueheze, do u know Arsenal or just kid from some where?
How u can say is only Jack from youth?
60% of arsenal first team it came from youth
90% reserve it came from youth
95% u18 is youth.
Go smell a coffe ebuheze
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It is the real time for “Save Arsenal” movement.
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Lets keep things in prospective. “the silence from Wenger is deafening”. Of course it is, the window doesn`t open for another two weeks and he`s on holiday.
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Wish u were d one taking-over….sound administrative analysis,a more purposeful potential ambition,,spot on u are the person we need USMANov
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Yet u pple criticize Nasri 4 trying to put things right(yes it’s d bitter truth)
and i ask who loves Arsenal more is it those opposing or those supporting Wenger’s stupid policy pls fill in the gap with Nasri’s situation
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Stan Kroenke has sound business acumen and as we all know he owns various major sporting teams. With his history as being a cunning businessman, I believe he has seen vast potential in his takeover of Arsenal. Give it time to settle and the investments will roll. This year the transfer market will be steaming as it’s the last season before the Fair Rules play comes into effect. This would leave Arsenal in a good position as we do have some bright up and coming stars in the likes of Chuks Aneke, Frimpong, Miyaichi,Jay Emmanuel Thomas, Ignasi Miquel, and Benik Afobe. Not to mention the raw talents in Jenkinson, Toral-Haprer, Bellerin and possibly Oxlade-Chamberlain. Look at Wilshere! I think we’ve been spoilt with the grace of Bergkamp, Henry, Pires, Viera, Petit, Wiltord and Overmars that this sort of lineup is expected in the current Arsenal squad. We will buy some quality players. Let’s be patient and not bag our Manager. There’s still a long way to go until the end of the transfer season. I believe Wenger is prudent in making the right choices for what he is looking for.
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For me – Arsenal don’t need further investment as they already have the money from the sale of Toure and Adebayor, the 40-50mill that they boasted about last year, the money they have made this season and now the possible sale of FAB or players. This is a calculated tactic by the entire board, as a major new signing could already be on the cards and they will use this new signing as a way to justify the huge ticket prices and increases.
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Love him or loathe you can’t argue with his logic he’s absolutely right. What I don’t understand is why the the so called Arsenal supporting board members refused to sell to him when they had the chance. Why did they choose the non Arsenal supporting American business man who has said nothing positive about building the team since he took over.
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true that russian but are you talking like this just becouse your not a major share holder or what ? you knew this way back but what did you do ? nothn !
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The earlier someone does something fast for our darling club Arsenal the better for us.We need trophies now.No more excuses. Get the best players simple!
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its our prayer in Uganda that such thoughts get into the rusty brains of arsenal board or else death/earth quake eludes them. for GOD’s sake we are tired of youth policy which is fruitless. At least mix.I strongly support Nasri not to sign and Fabregas to leave if wenger does not register a major signing. when will this young boys experience joy? every year disappointment.PLIZ Nazri don’t sign until wenger strengthens the three department.;-goalkeeper, CB and a prolific striker. and finally avoid filling our team with only french men. buy English players. they are strong enough to suit English style of play.
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Ha ha! Some of you guys cant accept the truth – even when it’s spoken by someone you all hate for no good reason. Look, not that I like usmanov but IF Kroenke is that good, why did the Board resisted him in the 1st place? Yes, he owns FIVE sports clubs and on that count, should be very experienced..but some of you fans’ views are based, like that of PHW and gang, on MONEY rather than winning titles..BUT why has he said absolutely NOTHING about the 6 failed and barren years UNTIL and after Usmanov opened his mouth?? Ha ha! You fans try convincing Cesc and Nasri, ah yes! even silly Denilson that they should be happy at Arsenal because it is financially rich and stable. (Wonder if cesc is leaving because of lack of money here?).
The truth is you fans have been brainwashed by the Board members as well. PHW .. does he really care about the fans’ feelings when the club gos 6 years with nothing to show?? You guys whacked Dein but are really blinded …blind to see the obvious – he’s no angel either but without him, wenger has been totally exposed as the miserly self-conceited and egoistic manager building his own “empire’ with his (failed)youth projects, sold experienced players who happened to turn 30 yrs old BUT were matured and still capable of contributing to the team -(whatever happened to his so-called expert
knowledge about sports-science anyway?)
I dont care about usmanov but what he said, he said the truth, and what the fans have been feeling about for 5 – 6 yerars.. and NO ONE had dared to speak publicly, not the greedy Board.
Also…it’s anybody’s opinion of what usmanov is really like ..but if he has committed anything wrong, let the law deal with him.
BUT IF ONLY ARSENE WENGER THE GREAT MANAGER IS ACCOUNTABLE TO USMANOV, YOU DONT EVEN NEED 6 YEARS BEFORE ARSENE WENGER STARTTED TO PEE IN HIS PANTS FOR WINNING NOTHING.
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Admin.. I’m an accountant and I can tell ų categorically that any company that spends 82percent of its income on salaries and wages is definitely heading for doom. Within a few yrs the company will definitely fold up. Apart from salaries there are administrative costs, and other expenses incurred.. Means all of the revenue would be used service expenses and even more. I’m not saying its bad to buy quality players.., bt its def wrong 2 buy players n put d club in debt all beacause we want trophies. A company should not spend more than 60percent of its earnings on salaries. ЪŦ said Arsenal need quality players.., n I’m petty sure AW wud spend dis summer.
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Hence we can definetely afford bigger salaries for our top players.
Not to say that salaries are wasted in guys like denilson, almunia, rosicky, arshavin, diaby, eboue and squillaci.
50+60+80+110+60+60+60= 480,000 a week wasted on this guys… why not be smart and remunerate that money evenly in proper signings and in keeping our best players… at the end the percentage will remain the same.
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I call shenanigans on Usmanov. He is just saying this because he is pissed he lost out to Kroenke. So now he is saying what the fans want to hear. Usamanov is as greedy as then next guy, maybe even more so. We need a untied ownership. Yes, we also need to buy some quality players for real money, but I’m very suspicious of Usmanovs motives here. He’s just poisoning the waters. An unneeded distraction right now.
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i don”t know if you guys are still arsenal fans? i have quite and join a winning team long time ago.
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That is right.Then Kroenke and Usmanov should co-operate together and give Arsenal money to buy good,elegant and experienced players who are between 22-29 years old and who will make Arsenal to be winning trophies.And the Arsenal board should just sack Wenger if as from next season Arsenal goes trophiless!
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