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One of the main shareholders of London's Arsenal club, Uzbek business magnate Alisher Usmanov, claims that team legend Thierry Henry asked him to acquire a controlling stake in the club, thus taking over the club's management.
A. Usmanov has long criticized the team's buying and selling policy, saying that the team needs to start buying famous players in order to end an ongoing eight-year title drought.
The businessman currently does not have a position in the club's management due to his past comments, but the 59-year-old Uzbek claims that former longtime team striker Thierry Henry asked him to do something.
"I like many footballers, so I often contact some of them personally. My favorite over the past 10-15 years is Thierry Henry. He presses me to buy all Arsenal club shares, but I can't predict the future," said A. Usmanov.
"When I had the opportunity to buy shares, I didn't hesitate. I was even ready to completely take over the club. However, it was not possible because some people wanted profit, and they made me an enemy. They won this game."
A. Usmanov stated that coach Arsene Wenger could bring success to the club despite the club's strict cost-saving policy.
"For me, Arsene Wenger is one of the best coaches in the world, but it's not easy for him. I think he deserves to have suitable players bought. If that happened, we could ask him for anything. But now, due to this policy, the team's success is being sacrificed," continued the businessman.
"Everything is in the hands of Mr. Stan Kroenke. I hope he will lead the club to success, despite the fact that his and my ideas do not match.
A. Wenger's biggest achievement is that he created two teams: one whose players now wear opponents' jerseys and another that is now trying to break through among England's best clubs.
Therefore, I say that it's not enough to flatter the coach, but we need to give him the opportunity to buy superstars. And not just any superstars, but those that Wenger himself wants.
It seems that the club does not need me. I am a strong man. If anyone needs my help, money, or knowledge, I am always ready," shared A. Usmanov.
The Uzbek holds 29.8 percent of Arsenal club shares, while the controlling package is owned by American Stan Kroenke.
