Arsenal

Alisher Usmanov: 'Arsenal well placed to succeed'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 05 August 2014

Arsenal's second-highest shareholder Alisher Usmanov believes that the club is in a good position to 'succeed' following the end to their nine-year trophy drought.

Alisher Usmanov is confident that Arsenal are in a good position to push on and win more trophies after ending their nine-year wait for silverware.

The Gunners beat Hull City 3-2 at Wembley in May to lift the FA Cup for the first time since the club's move to their Emirates Stadium home.

Usmanov, the North London outfit's second-highest shareholder, also believes that the trophy drought could have been avoided.

"It is always up to the shareholders to choose which model to adopt," the 60-year-old told The Telegraph. "The board and main shareholders chose the debt option at the time, which led to Arsenal going almost 10 years without winning a domestic title or the Champions League.

"The first trophy only arrived in the 10th year. As a result of this choice, they were selling players and were unable to buy top players. The club is very well placed to succeed. I think we begin a new era for Arsenal where we win trophies. That is most important for football.

"In my opinion, in line with the existing rules, the club has the correct decision-making process in place, including their selection policy, especially now, when they have the means to buy the best players."

Usmanov's Red & White Holdings group owns just over 30% of Arsenal.