Written by Mean Lean on Monday, 11 April 2011 17:22

So big things are changing at Arsenal yet everything will probably stay exactly the same, at least from the perspective of the Arsenal supporters.

I do not pretend to have any vast knowledge of the business side of the club. To be honest, as long as the club is being looked after correctly then I am content to put my energies into watching the team I support play football. That is what makes me happy not shares or ownership.

That being said I am a little uncomfortable with the ownership of the club being placed out of the hands of 'Arsenal people' and into the palms of a businessman. Make of what you want about the Hill-Woods, the Bracewell's, Danny Fiszman and co, they have the clubs best interest at heart. I suppose with Arsenal in such a strong position financially and the debt close to being a thing of the past we were always going to have interest from outsiders.

As far as outsiders go, you have to say that Stan Kroenke is probably the best 'sort' of outsider we could have wished for. The Kronk has been on the board for the last few years and he understands how the club has been run, he has seen first hand that the current model is working. Unlike the Glaziers at Manchester United Kroenke will not saddle the club with debt.

With the stadium debt soon to be history, renegotiation of sponsorship deals and a chance to improve the clubs commercial revenue, especially in Asia and the United States, you can understand why Kroenke would like to gain control or at least more control.

Yet there are plenty of questions and answers to be had. Where does this leave Red and White holdings? The cute and attractive name that hides the face of Alisher Usmanov. It appears that he has lost the race to own Arsenal FC but he does not have to sell his stake if he doesn't want to. Yet, if he cannot have his cake and eat it then I would put my money on Usmanov eating it. That is just an educated guess.

We also do not know what the long term future has in store for the current board members. I am sure nothing will change for the short term and I suppose only time will tell.

What is unlikely to happen is that billions will be made available for the manager to spend on non scoring strikers. A section of the support will not be happy but personally I will be content if the club can keep its long term strategy in place.

It is a big day for the history and future of the club yet it is more than likely that life will continue as if nothing had happened.

While I am a little wary of this type of change I will hope that this change could actually improve our club and take us forward.

In Arsenal I trust.

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Comments (7)

• 11-Apr-2011 18:14 | | Sobin the indian gooner
  

  Anything can happen,but i think it has to be for the good of Arsenal fc.

• 11-Apr-2011 22:25 | | Man United Killa  - In Arsenal? you trust?
  

  ML..good article but how you made the mistake of typing 'Arsene' instead of 'Arsenal' in your last statement is beyond me.
  This change could be good or bad..I guess we will have to wait and see.

• 11-Apr-2011 22:40 | | richie
  

  Muk re-read ML's last statement and then yours and post again. I think thats best don't you?

• 11-Apr-2011 23:37 | | richie  - In one sense worrying times
  

  I guess we are going to have to trust the instincts of the Hill-Woods, Danny Fiszman and Nina (Lady) Bracewell Smith who laterly rebuffed more money from Usmanov. The three above have all in the passed acted in Arsenal FC's best interest and its their belief that Stan Kroenke will do likewise. All us Gooners (the supporters) can do is hope that this proves to be the case. We've all witnessed the debacle's of Hicks & Gillett, at Liverpool, and the shena****ns over the Glasers and Manu'er's mounting debt. The board has said this won't happen and KSE Kroemke's holding company won't saddle AFC with debt from the purchase even though KSE might have to stump up £500 million to buy the companny outright. Word to the wise however is that Usmanov isn't likely to sell as yet. Unsurprisingly our new Jewish American owner is said to impressed with Arsene's buisness model, especially his prudent buys and inflated sales. More of the same for our most traditional of clubs then.

• 12-Apr-2011 09:47 | | CHGooner
  

  What's the relevance of the fact that he's 'Jewish-American' Richie? The Nazi's used those sort of terms. You an anti-semite then?
  
  Before you respond, look up the word 'irony'.
  
  Thanks
  
  On the SK takeover, I think it is a good thing if it makes Wenger accountable to somebody. If things carry on broadly as they are, but with a single majority shareholder happy to make profits but not driven by winning stuff then I don't believe it will be positive for the fans of the club.

• 12-Apr-2011 18:52 | | Man United Killa  - :-(
  

  Oops!!good catch Richie...thanks for that but you and I know what I am talking about.

• 12-Apr-2011 23:15 | | richie  - No! Lets clear that up quick time.
  

  No! I might be anti American though. (He's said with a certain irony) It was a generalisation on my part. But certainly not racism. Its a generalisation that the Scots are tight with money, and another that people of a Jewish persuasion know a bargin we they see it. I meant Arsene is well known for being prudent with money, something that Mr Kroenke obviously a very successful American buisnessman of a Jewish persuation should appreciate. Which is why I'm expecting things to continue much in the same manner they have.

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