Usmanov unhappy with Arsenal's selling policy
The North London club have sold Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri over the past few years, and have failed to recruit any notable world-class talents.
- Associated Press
- Updated: January 28, 2013 07:51 pm IST
Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov says he is concerned that the team is turning into a feeder club by selling players in their prime, and claims that Thierry Henry has urged him to take over to stop the trophy drought.
Arsenal has not won anything since the FA Cup in 2005, and in recent years has sold striker Robin van Persie, midfielders Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Alexandre Song and left back Gael Clichy. Manchester United signed Van Persie while Fabregas and Song went to Barcelona. Nasri and Clichy won the Premier League title with Manchester City last season.
Usmanov owns just under 30 percent of Arsenal, less than American businessman Stan Kroenke. In an interview with sports daily L'Equipe, Usmanov says Henry is "pushing me to buy all of Arsenal's shares."