82% Oppose Kroenke or Usmanov takeover

AISA have just published the results of a survey that demonstrate "overwhelming opposition to a takeover from either of the Club's two largest shareholders, Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov". Only 6.4% supported Usmanov "gaining control, and Kroenke fared little better, attracting support from just 11.2%".

Over 82% of those polled said, "they wanted the current situation, with no individual in overall control, to continue".


It could be argued that it doesn't matter which bunch of fat cats control the club, that old Etonians, Oil Barons etc are all on the make, and indeed Arsenal Times has every sympathy with that view, and has no sympathy for the idea that English Capitalists are the nicest.

At the end of the day it's ACAB, (All Capitalists are Bar stewards). The best form of ownership would be for the supporters to own the club, but unfortunately that is not on the immediate agenda. Therefore at present it is best to support plural ownership.

The main reason for that is the plural model does allow Arsenal fans some say through organisations like the Arsenal Supporters Trust and the Arsenal Independent Supporters Association. A Glazer type ownership model would remove any rights that supporters have to attend meetings with the owners. It could also saddle the club with vast debt.

It should be kept in mind that Usamanov has not offered any money to the club, just a shares rights issue, which is just another name for debt. It is a time to be vigilant, fans should consider joining AISA or the AST, they both have websites at www.aisa.org and www.arsenaltrust.org