ALISHER USMANOV admits Arsenal will not win trophies by losing their best players every summer.
The Gunners have not won any silverware since 2005 and losing stars Alex Song and Robin Van Persie this summer was a major blow to their hopes.
Usmanov, who owns just under 30 per cent of the club through Red and White Holdings, praised manager Arsene Wenger for maintaining an attractive side but insisted this will not be enough.
Uzbeck-born Usmanov said: “Nobody can convince fans that the club is doing fine if for the past three or four years the club has been selling its best players.
“It doesn’t matter who our extremely talented coach, Arsene Wenger, buys to plug these holes if we want to win trophies.”
But businessman Usmanov insists he stands by Wenger.
He said: “I’m an absolute fan of Arsene Wenger. I support him and I’m confident in him. We think he’s a hero.
“Despite changes in the playing line-up, he keeps the variations of the same beautiful game."
Arsenal welcome Chelsea to the Emirates on Saturday where the Blues will provide a stern test of Wenger’s squad.
Usmanov has a box at Roman Abramovich’s club and the tycoons often have matchday talks about “football and beauty” – but not business.
The Uzbecki and partner Farhad Moshiri, who have built their position at Arsenal since 2007, are at odds with US billionaire Stan Kroenke who owns just over two-thirds of the club.
Usmanov recently criticised Arsenal’s board in an open letter for failing to hold on to Van Persie.
In it he called for Arsenal’s finances to be strengthened through an injection of non-dividend-paying equity into the club.
He said: “Arsenal received our letter. We didn’t mean it as a hostile message or a declaration of war.”
But Usmanov does not want to be on the board himself.
He explained: “We are tired of being accused of fighting for a place on the board. We have never in our lives asked for this place.”
Usmanov does not plan to write another letter at this point as it would be a distraction.
He added: “The season is beginning — we must close this discussion and support the club, coach and players.”
Arsenal’s third-place finish in the Premier League last season was enough to guarantee them a place in the lucrative Champions League for the 15th successive season.
Usmanov was asked about UEFA’s planned Financial Fair Play measures and the threat of exclusion from European competition.
He commented: “I never say we need to spend enormous money for any players but we must have the capacity.”
Usmanov said he loves the club and holds his investment as a fan who can get involved as a shareholder.
He has no plans to sell his share saying: “if you sell what you love you lose yourself” “For now, we stay in Arsenal as shareholders as long as we don’t lose our love for this club. Now we wish it support and great victory.”
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Originally Posted by Jeebus
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