Michael Corleone said it about the mafia, and Arsenal fans are surely thinking it today after news broke late yesterday that David Dein, ex-director of football, has sold his shares in Arsenal Football Club to a Russian firm. Just when we thought that we might just enjoy a bit of football, we have a new media circus in the offing. It seems that this firm, “Red & White Holdings”, will be chaired by Dein, but are co-owned by Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov and by a London-based investor named Farhad Moshiri. Usmanov is another of these Abromvich types, and I know how we all feel about him, but I’ll leave the bulk of the editorializing to you lot. I’ve already gotten one submission from Andez on the subject, and I’ll be posting that shortly. There’s not much that I’ve found on Moshiri other than a wikipedia post indicating that he used to work for Deloitte, and is co-owner of Red & White.
According to the press, Arsene Wenger welcomes this move, which seems a bit odd considering his anti-foreign investment stance of a few months ago. Suffice it to say, the plot thickens with every turn, and I for one would just as soon have it settled sooner rather than later, but I don’t think that’s very likely. It’s a damn shame, because the side are playing some good football, and that’s what should be making the news.
5 Responses to “Every time I think that I’m out, they pull me back in.”
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August 31st, 2007 at 9:33 am
The title prefectly sums up our feelings.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:13 am
Uh, what’s the presses track record on knowing Wenger’s perspective? I think it approaches zero… It would be really interesting to see the internal projections on the% for the revenue sources for Arsenal over the next several years. How much, long-term will the club make on those condo’s? Arsenal could have the highest operating income of any English club!
Really, let’s look at the Club’s recent track record- they completed building a stadium just as other major teams are completing their PLANS to build. They bought young quality years before it become common as well- consider RvP vs. Drenthe- how much did we pay in comparison… Now granted, with all the money and players coming into the EPL, the competition for CL positions will increase esp. in the next 2-3 years but the club is positioned too well for it to be a coincidence. Dein sparked innovation and ambition at the club again and we owe him thanks. It is obvious he wants more say at the club and leading a foreign ownership group was his method for success. I hope he fails- ten years from now I think the Club will be significantly better off for it…
August 31st, 2007 at 10:17 am
yeah, perfect time for another media circus.
arsenal is a GIANT CASH COW (perfect location, excellent facilities and personnel in place, all the hardwork done) and now all the cretins in the world are interested in having a piece.
a few months ago dein was all over kroenkes dick now he is over that and is all over some other random blokes with utterly UNKNOWN intentions.
this is like the lord of the rings saga and deins camp in my view are not the good guys.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:25 am
i think dein is also being rather naive or overeager or whatever. because there is absolutely nothing in the world that prevents any new owners from sacking him the moment they have full control of the club. believe me there is nothing stopping them from doing that.
plus, russians dont have a hands-off approach when running their companies. they will appoint all their henchmen ala Chelsea and Hearts….and i wonder how Wenger would deal with that. You will also look forward to the owner and his henchmen chasing/buying their favorite players or whoever they please. horrible.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:40 am
Calm down, you’re getting overexcited. Chairmen sack and sign people all the time. If you want to make a profit at a club like Arsenal you aint gonna sack the only person who has 20 years experience at the club and more hands on knowledge than any other board member, and you don’t become the most trusted businessman in Russia by making stupid business decisions like that. He might look like a fat pie eater - but I can assure you there’s a lot more to Usmanov than that.
Shareholders will sell out to the Russian (including Kroenke who will make a handsome profit already) and he will take over the club - there’s no way Dein would push this through unless he knew he would be victorious, and in my opinion Wenger is happy to go along with it, otherwise he would not be signing a new contract.