Arsenal Rumours Thread

[Arsenal007]

LONDON (AP) - Arsenal's biggest shareholder vowed Sunday to fight off any takeover bid by American businessman Stan Kroenke.

Director Danny Fiszman, who owns 24.11 percent of the Gunners, said a hostile bid would fail and claimed that Kroenke cannot improve the Premier League club.

Kroenke owns 12.19 percent of Arsenal's shares and is reportedly preparing to become the fourth American to own a Premier League club. Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa are the three others.

"We are open to anything that will improve the club, but we're going to have to be seriously convinced that it would improve the fortunes of the club," Fiszman said.

Fiszman, a diamond dealer, doesn't believe Kroenke can improve the Gunners' financial plight.

"It's going to be very, very difficult to explain to me and to the rest of board how you can actually make substantial investment ... and expect a return for that," Fiszman said.

"If it's just an 8-10 percent return, you're talking about 50 million pounds ($100 million; €73 million) or so. That's got to come out of the club, otherwise there's no point making a purchase."

On Saturday, Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood told shareholders in a letter that he will hold face-to-face talks with Kroenke.

Under London Stock Exchange rules, a full takeover attempt would require Kroenke to obtain at least 30 percent of the shares.

"They can mount a hostile bid, but they're never going to get control of the club," Fiszman said. "The future of the club is in the hands of the board."

Former Arsenal vice chairman David Dein, who owns 4.5 percent of Arsenal's shares, was ousted from the board earlier this month for reportedly favoring a takeover by Kroenke.

Kroenke is a real estate developer who owns the NBA's Denver Nuggets, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche and the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer. He is also a co-owner of the NFL's St. Louis Rams.

Meanwhile, Arsenal announced Sunday that it will host a preseason tournament also featuring Serie A champion Inter Milan, Paris St. Germain and Hamburg. The Emirates Cup will run from July 28-29.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Do you want an american takeover, arsenal007?I ask you since you're from the states.

[Arsenal007]

ok so heres the thing:

Everyone makes it sound like a hostile takeover, everyone from england thinks that an american is going to come in and sell all these players and change the entire complection of the EPL, When really it would be foolish from a business stand point to change anything significant.

The big positive is that with an american in charge now more people from america will watch the EPL and love the game.

For example I am from Buffalo and now live in Rochester (home of Glazer) When he bought Man U everyone from my area instantously was interested in Man U, they wanted to know more about the game, etc.

I think that more good rather than bad can come from this, they only thing I see bad is that English people will not feel as though this is traditional having an american. But, who cares I feel like there is more influence from non British people in the EPL than anyone else.

Bottom line I think it is going to be ok, and his money will prove to open some doors and new things.

[kyan]

Hill-Wood to meet Kroenke 'in the next two to three weeks'

Arsenal chairman has been under pressure to speak to the US tycoon

Paolo Bandini
Tuesday May 22, 2007
Guardian Unlimited

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood plans to meet Stan Kroenke "in the next two to three weeks" after softening his stance towards the American tycoon's investment in the club.

Kroenke has built up a 12% stake in Arsenal since buying out ITV's shares last month and talk of a potential takeover precipitated serious boardroom divisions at the club. Vice-chairman David Dein, who favoured selling to Kroenke, resigned after finding himself isolated amongst more sceptical colleagues, while Hill-Wood headed a group of four major shareholders adamant that they would not sell their combined 45% stake.

That group, made up of Hill-Wood, Danny Fiszman, Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and Richard Carr, had previously remained steadfast in their opposition to any takeover, with the chairman claiming Kroenke knows "sweet FA about our football" and saying "we do not want his sort". Now, however, after pressure from the Arsenal Supporters' Trust, Hill-Wood has agreed to at least meet Kroenke, though he maintains that the club are under no pressure to sell.

"I am hoping to meet him in the next two to three weeks," said Hill-Wood. "I'm looking forward to meeting him to hear what he's got to say. But we are quite confident we are in good shape the way we are."

Hill-Wood also denied reports that Arsène Wenger is considering quitting the club in protest at Dein's departure, continuing: "I wasn't at Portsmouth for the last game of the season, but I've spoken to colleagues who were and they had a chat with (Wenger) and said he seemed very happy."

Hill-Wood to meet Kroenke 'in the next two to three weeks' | News | Guardian Unlimited Football

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Arsene Wenger is monitoring Michael Owen’s fractious relationship with the Newcastle board and could make a move for the England forward.

Arsenal boss Wenger has been alerted by the fact he could land Owen, 27, for less than £10million and believes the striker would relish the opportunity to move away from St James’ Park to a club in the Champions League.

Much will depend on the future of Thierry Henry, who continues to be heavily linked with a move to Spain after a frustrating season at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger is also an admirer of Owen’s team-mate Obafemi Martins, whose future is similarly precarious.

Newcastle’s Turkish midfielder Emre is also a target for Bayern Munich, who want an experienced central midfielder to replace the Manchester United-bound Owen Hargreaves.

Sam Allardyce is unlikely to stand in the player’s way if Newcastle can recoup a fee of around £4m. Allardyce meanwhile will move for Wigan left back Leighton Baines.

Source: The Daily Mail

[Arsenal007]

He is world class but very injury prone, which is the only downfall

[RavenKing]

Yeah injuries would keep him out too long. We all saw this season how many games arsenal win without finishers. So are they out to reenact this seasons problems? I don't consider van persie injury prone but all it would take is one rough game and he's back in dry dock. they should go for someone less injury prone but with some skill (unlike Baptista).

[Werdna]

Well I don't see a player of Owen's capabilities anywhere who can be had for 9 million pounds which is why I'm surprised noone has gone for him yet.

Pretty much worth the risk I think...


*wink* *wink* Benitez!

[Arsenal007]

I think we should go for Ribery -15 million , Owen for about 7 million, maybe another striker like Bent

[Morrison]

DON'T TOUCH OWEN!!

[Arsenal007]

hahaha

[kennethlindheim]

Owen is exactly what Arsenal need after this season. But I hope he will stay.

[mr.watford]

Originally Posted by Arsenal007

Owen for about 7 million

no chance you will get owen for £7m. newcastle would be mental to let him leave for that.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Owen has a £9 million leave clause.

[Buddha14]

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists Cesc Fabregas will be at the Emirates Stadium next season.


Fabregas has been the subject of speculation in the Spanish media about a move to Real Madrid, but Wenger is confident the 20-year-old will be at the heart of the Gunners' midfield for the next Barclays Premiership campaign.


Wenger told Spanish newspaper Marca: 'Cesc is going to spend the next year with Arsenal.'

Fabregas trained with Barcelona before joining Arsenal four years ago and seeing his development accelerate.

The Spain international has been the focal point of Wenger's midfield this season, leading to inevitable speculation regarding a return to his native country.

While Wenger is confident Fabregas will not move to Spain, Julio Baptista is set to return to the Bernabeu following his season with Arsenal.

The future of Jose Antonio Reyes, who was loaned to Madrid in the other direction, appears more uncertain as he has consistently repeated his wish to remain in Spain.

Wenger's options in attack will be complicated further next season as Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to play for Togo in the African Nations.

It could give Theo Walcott a chance to shine. The 18-year-old is determined to impress after scoring his first goal for Arsenal in the Carling Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

He said: 'It was a big disappointment not to win the Carling Cup but it shows what the young players can do and hopefully we can do it again.

'And I'm sure if we work hard we will be right up there in the title race too.'

Source:ESPNSoccernet