With another bid for control of Arsenal reportedly being rejected this week, we’re taking a look at the current situation the club are in.
Stan Kroenke was rumoured to have bid £525m for Alisher Usmanov’s shares in the club, which would have given him 97% control of the club, enough to force the remaining 3% to sell. However, Usmanov released a statement to say he’s not in any sale talks, seemingly putting an end to the rumours for now.
So what else do we know?
Why can’t they work together?
Usmanov believes he represents the voice of ignored fans, who call for Wenger to be held to a more stricter account. He also wants Arsenal’s owners to contribute more in terms of financial investment.
Meanwhile, Kroenke is focused on keeping the club self-sustainable, and has shown time and again that he thinks Wenger is worthy of new contracts with the Gunners, regardless of the variations in performance by the team.
Until they find some common ground over these disagreements, and Usmanov is allowed a place on the Arsenal board, it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to work as a team to move the club forward.
A partnership between the two probably wouldn’t go down too well anyway, as the majority of fans seem to be unhappy with Kroenke playing any part with the Gunners.
There were chants of “Stan Kroenke, get out of our club” at the Emirates at the end of last season, and until the fans see real investment in top players, that’s unlikely to change.
Next, who else could get involved?