Arsene Wenger has no problem with Stan Kroenke's continued investment in Arsenal - so long as it never impacts on the way he runs the team.
The American tycoon has edged closer towards the takeover threshold following the announcement of the purchase of another 427 shares in Arsenal's parent holding company, at a cost of some £3.6million.
"Inside the club, on a daily basis, it does not change anything," the Arsenal boss said. "As long as I am not told I have to change the way I see the vision for the club on the technical side, as long as nobody interferes with that, then I do not see what kind of impact it could have on me."
The Denver-based sports magnate is now the largest individual shareholder in the Gunners, with a stake of some 29.6% after acquiring more stock from the estate of the late British industrialist Ernest Harrison.
Should Kroenke, or indeed anyone else such as second-largest shareholder Alisher Usmanov, reach a figure of 29.9%, they would, under the City's financial regulations, be obliged to launch a formal takeover bid.
Wenger, though, insists it remains very much business as usual at London Colney.
He added: "I believe I have shown I can manage a club on the technical side - and I have that guarantee at the club, no matter who the owner will be."
As yet, Kroenke - nicknamed 'Silent Stan' for his choice to keep away from the media spotlight - has made no public statement on his long-term intentions for the Barclays Premier League club.
Indeed, when Kroenke, now on the Arsenal board, was directly questioned during the recent Annual General Meeting, the American chose not to take the opportunity to address the gathered shareholders, with chairman Peter Hill-Wood intervening.
While Hill-Wood insisted major changes behind the scenes were not on the agenda, the Arsenal chairman has also suggested he was "very relaxed" about a proposed takeover by the American.
Comment 1 - 16 of 16
it is obvious that Fergie is finding it hard lately to accept that his team are not playing well or did not play well. stop putting blames on officials, now tell me how can AZ Akmaar come out tommorow to say they were robbed by officials against Arsenal????
THE YANK WILL RUIN ARSENAL, ANOTHER TOY FOR THE RICH BOY RON I MET DAVID DEIN HE IS REALY
PASSIONATE ABOUT ARSENAL HE WAS SHAFTED!! IM NOT FULL OF WIND ONLY MY ARSE EN
RON U R IN DREAM WORLD!!
RON HAVE U HAD A FUNNY F. AG
RON R U ON DRUGS!!!!
RON R U ON DRUGS!!!!
I believe whoever is majority shareholder / owner of the club should remember that without the players and manager there is no club. Wenger should supported in his vision for the club, and given the neccesary resources for Arsenal to continue to grow and become a major force in Europe. This way, the fans will keep on coming back season after season helping to bring money into the club. It is a scary thing to see happening. But the likes of Villa with an American owner are doing well. They seem to be going from strength to strength every season, and O'Neill is given freedom to do what he needs. As for Liverpool, there's 2 owners and a division will ensue unless they come to a compromise. One majority shareholder is best. Utd have certainly benefited, and should Arsenal go the same way with a single majority shareholder, I hope they will back Wenger for years to come.
"silent stan", more like "silent satan", this will all come to a sticky end and anyone who believes that it will be good for the club is in for a shock, just look at involvement yanks have had with other clubs. Money, money, money thats all they know.
dale. dein was kicked out because he wanted to bring in kroenke the fact that both majority share holder dont get on ,u show me a board that is 100% harmany and with dein in charge it is the logical thing whether it happens is hearsay and we can only hope that the best thing for the club prevails u ask any real arsenal fan and u tell me how many would not want dein back i would expect at least 80% would ets see what happens it hasnt happend yet so we will see
lanesra,You sound like your LAST comment.FULL of WIND !!!!!!
Ron A
lanesra,You sound like your LAST comment.FULL of WIND !!!!!!
lanesra,You sound like your LAST comment.FULL of WIND !!!!!!
Oliver, Dien was kicked out because of Kroenke, and Kroenke\Usmanov won't get along, they see things differently and it will end up the Liverpool way. Key thing is, who ever becomes owner should allow Wenger do his thing with every assistance they can give to him, and if Wenger leaves, then a suitable replacement, someone who will follow Wengers phylosophy (maybe not all) Someone Wenger can recommend.
lanesra,You sound like your LAST comment.FULL of WIND !!!!!!
i would love to see dien back at the club and perhaps we will as long as mr wenger happy and he is allowed to continue in the right direction then lets not prejudge the man,, at least he is on his own not like liverpool etc where they are now split though i think a kroenke/usmanov partnership could well be a good thing with dien as chairman now that would be good to see in place....
WHAT THE FECK DOES THE YANK NO ABOUT AFC !! FECK OFF COME BACK DAVID DEIN !!!
HE WONT BE SILENT WHEN HE GETS THE GOONERS ,HILLWOOD YOU SHOULD CHANGE YOUR NAME TO
DEADWOOD YOU OLD FART!!
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account