Let Alisher Usmanov buy a champion or not?

[sendheroff]

http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=848310

The case of Arsenal is interesting in this context because the Gunners are so far resisting the threat of a potential takeover by Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, a billionaire ranked high in the list of the world’s richest men. Usmanov is now the second largest shareholder in the club and has stated that his long-term ambition is to acquire Arsenal. He is unable to do so at present because the club’s directors are in a lock-down agreement whereby they’ve pledged, for a fixed period, not to sell any of their shares, thus denying Usmanov’s Red & White Holdings vehicle the chance to acquire more. The board’s motivation is that they fear an Usmanov-owned club would change forever the soul, character and ethos of Arsenal Football Club.

Are they right? Probably. Does it matter? That depends largely on your view of tradition. And your willingness to accept that there is no risk attached to having your club controlled by a foreign businessman, however wealthy and however shrewd, who probably grew up with no emotional attachment to the club until it became available to buy.

But then ask Manchester City fans what they think of this week’s events and you won’t find many gnashing their teeth and tearing their garments in despair. Their club now threatens to become genuinely big-time, and they’ve waited long enough for that.

[rogerthornhill]

http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=848310

because the Gunners are so far resisting the threat of a potential takeover

The word "resisting" could easily be replaced by - stubbornly refusing to accept.

[meridamullet]

http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=848310

because the Gunners are so far resisting the threat of a potential takeover

The word "resisting" could easily be replaced by - stubbornly refusing to accept.

Couldn't agree more, but it has to be only a matter of time before they won't have a choice and have to sell up, i reckon sometime in the next 5 years. More and more clubs are gaining financial power, the ones who don't will inevetibly be left behind. Definetly not saying Arsenal would be fighting a relegation battle, but it would be hard to stay in the "top 4" if say 10 or more clubs are backed by billionaires in the near future, and we don't have that type of financial clout

[rogerthornhill]

Couldn't agree more, but it has to be only a matter of time before they won't have a choice and have to sell up

This is exactly the case but the present board just sit about twiddling their thumbs while the conditions of 21st century football pass them by. We all must surely realise that Arsenal will be taken over in the near future. Isn't it much better for it to be done sooner rather than later? What will be gained if this present board hold out for another two years or so? It will just be two years of potential progress that has been wasted. They can't forever play at being King Canute holding back the tide.

[Leody]

Worst part about this... You know Wenger is gone if the club is taken over. Usmanov is going to want to buy and buy and Wenger will not spend... then Wenger will get the axe.

Could be good could be bad, I'd rather not go down that road to find out though. I'd rather have Wenger start spending like 10m per window, or just hold on to the players we've had...

[Cheese]

Worst part about this... You know Wenger is gone if the club is taken over. Usmanov is going to want to buy and buy and Wenger will not spend... then Wenger will get the axe.

Sorry but your wrong there mate.

Usmanov will not want to "buy buy buy" because he's in it to make a profit. Just like Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Everyone thinks that if Usmanov buy Arsenal he will do/buy anything to win the League..Wrong his sole objective would be to make a profit.

He is in no way like Roman Abromovich or the new Man City owners, who only care about winning trophies and are happy to do it making a loss year in year out.

Simple as that, if Arsenal were going to get taken over, Usmanov is one of the last people you would want.

[Fabby]

I dont really know much about him so cant comment. People who want us to be taken over simply think its because we will spend like theres no tomorrow and have instant success. But i'd rather build success, and we've already heard that we have the money to buy most players if AW wants them

[StLGooner]

We don't need a billionaire owner, what football needs is a salary cap. If European football had a salary cap, you would see a lot more loyalty with players. They wouldn't be running off to teams like Man City (sorry Yorky) to make more money. You would see more players playing for they're childhood teams. It would separate the true coaches and organizations from the ones that just go out and buy all the best players, and it would point out the real talents within the organization itself. It would also help younger players develope, and in England it would help young English players develope, and then maybe you lot would've made the Euros. It would definately prove that Wenger is one of the greatest managers in football, and it would also show that maybe SAF isn't as great as of coach as so many think. I could've won trophies with some of the talent that he's coached.

Now just cause a financially strapped owner can afford any player he wants, that doesn't mean that trophies come automatically, I understand that, but it certainly does help and give a distinct advantage and its ruining football.

[sendheroff]

ii agree, football needs a salary cap to keep teams like chelsea and in north america New york from buying championships. new york goes over the salary cap every year but when they do they pay a huge fine to the league. this would keep an even playing field.