Untold Arsenal » What Mr Usmanov can do with his money – an open letter to the Arsenal shareholder

Dear Mr Usmanov,

You will appreciate that there are many Arsenal supporters who are nervous at what they see as your desire to increase your shareholding in Arsenal.

There are also, as you will know, a number who are concerned about the stories that relate to your past.

And there are others who are concerned at what has happened to Manchester United and Liverpool, once they have had their club taken over by people that they perceive to be outsiders. No one likes the buy outs that leave the club drowning in its own debt.

In debating these points on the UNTOLD ARSENAL blog two readers have contributed ideas that seem to me to have considerable merit. They are ideas which, if put into practice, would not only benefit Arsenal, but would also show to supporters that you are willing to take all possible steps to help the club. In short, everyone would win.

I must stress, neither of these ideas are mine – they come from supporters keen to make a contribution to the debate, and to help matters along. But I am very happy to pass them on to you.

The first idea involves the Highbury apartments. As we all know, although some of these have sold, the financial downturn has affected sales, and thus Arsenal has received less money by now, than had been hoped. If you were to use part of your fortune to buy up the un-sold flats, that would undoubtedly generate a long-term profit for you, and bring a significant benefit to Arsenal. It would also reveal quite clearly to many supporters that you should be seen as one who has Arsenal’s interests at heart.

The second idea is more complex, but also has considerable merit.

Each year we send out players on loan. Last season we had 14 on loan at one time – quite possibly an all time record for a single club. Finding clubs for these players and ensuring that they are getting games and not just warming the bench is tough.

But just think how wonderful life would be if there were a club or two that worked in liaison with Arsenal, and which took their players who need games, and which could be relied on to play them regularly. A team in the English third tier or Scottish second tier perhaps. Or maybe two teams so everyone is accommodated.

Not only would Arsenal then be assured of the fact that their loanees are getting regular games, the club or clubs involved would benefit from the extra support that they would get. Many Arsenal fans cannot get to games because they live in the wrong part of the country or are not members at the right level. But they would certainly go and watch the Arsenal feeder clubs.

Of course there are technical difficulties. There are rules about not being in control of two clubs at once in the same country, and there are rules about “feeder clubs”. But to the best of my knowledge there is nothing to say that a non-dominant shareholder in one club can’t be a dominant shareholder in another club, and then seek to reach an agreement over loans.

As I say, it is not 100% straightforward but it is possible. And just imagine the interest there would be if you took over any one of the many clubs currently up for sale. Southampton is a good example of such a club. Darlington is another – and even if those two have got themselves sorted of late, there are many other clubs. Indeed, the Notts County trust members have just GIVEN their shares to a new owner – which shows how desperate things are in the lower leagues.

So, there we have it. Two ideas, both of which would convince many Arsenal supporters exactly where your heart is, and one of which would actually make a considerable amount of money.

I do hope you like the ideas and might consider taking them up.

Tony Attwood
Untold Arsenal.