Usmanov: Henry wants me in charge of Arsenal

By FOX SPORTS staff

The Gunners' current majority shareholder, businessman Stan Kroenke, has long been at loggerheads with Usmanov over the ownership and direction of the club, but the American has thus far won the boardroom battle against the Russian oligarch.

However, despite initial optimism over Kroenke's reign at Arsenal, numerous fans have grown disillusioned at how the American has run things at the club; a dearth of quality signings and the departure of several key players, including the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie over the past few years, have seen the Gunners flounder in the Premier League this season, and they currently lie sixth in the table after having amassed a meagre 37 points from 23 games.

As a result, calls for Usmanov to take over from Korenke at the club have grown stronger in recent times, and according to the 59-year-old Russian, Henry, Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer with 228 goals in all competitions, has joined the chorus of those who are clamouring to see a change of ownership.

"I like many footballers, and I'm in contact with some of them," Usmanov told L'Equipe. 

"Perhaps my favourite of the last ten, 15 years is Thierry Henry. 

"He's pushing me to buy all of Arsenal's shares, but I cannot predict the future.

"When I had the chance to buy some shares and become one of the main shareholders in the club, I didn't hesitate for a second.

"I was even ready to take total control. That wasn't possible because certain people preferred to make a profit and create, using me, an outside enemy. 

"I remain portrayed as a pirate, an enemy. They have won that game."

Usmanov also leapt to the defence of under-fire manager Arsene Wenger, claiming that the Frenchman was hindered by the lack of ambitions shown by Kroenke and the current board.

"For me, he's [Wenger] one of the best coaches in the world, but it's not easy for him," Usmanov mused. 

"I think he deserves that players are brought in at Arsenal when they're needed.

"The best players, and not being satisfied with selling our best players to our rivals. 

"If that happens, we can ask everything of him. But, today, he's sacrificed. Because of the policy, and we're all to blame. 

"Everything's in Mr Kroenke's hands, and I hope he succeeds, even if he doesn't go along with my ideas."

Usmanov then further criticised the board's failure to keep their key players over the years and promised that he would give Wenger all the support needed should he ever get a chance to take control of the club.

"The greatest achievement of Arsene Wenger is to have created two teams: the one that now plays for our rivals, and the one that is trying to be among the best in the Premier League," Usmanov reflected.

"That's why I say it's not enough to merely flatter the coach, but to give him the possibility to buy the best players, superstars. But not just stars, but those chosen by Wenger.

"It's unthinkable that the shareholders get well-paid while, for small clauses in contracts, we lose key players, symbols like Robin van Persie, Mathieu Flamini or Patrick Vieira. 

"We should have increased their salaries when they started to be courted, started to look elsewhere. I don't know why we didn't propose that to them."

Usmanov also refuted suggestions that his interest in Arsenal was profit-driven and insisted he had fallen in love with the club at the end of the 1990s.

"In my opinion, the previous Arsenal team was as good as the current Barcelona side," Usmanov declared. 

"It wasn't a question of money or prestige. It's a choice [to invest in the club] dictated by my emotions, those provoked in me by the club. And Arsenal's current situation remains an interesting investment.

"I would like to be useful for the club, and I can be. I understand football well, and can prove it, but I'll never force myself on anyone. 

"For the moment, Arsenal don't seem to need me. But I remain convinced that Arsenal should have only one aim in every competition: first place and winning.

"All other theories are hypocrisy aimed at covering up weakness. 

"I'm a strong man. If someone needs my help, my money, my know-how, anything I possess, I'm always ready."

Arsenal will take on Liverpool in their next Premier League fixture as they seek to qualify for next season's Champions League.