ARSENAL NOT FOR SALE-ISLINGTON GAZETTE

[stearmaster]

ARSENAL have put an end to months of takeover talk after two leading figures at the club this week rubbished the idea of selling up.

Managing director Keith Edelman and leading shareholder and director Danny Fiszman have both publicly stated that the Gunners are not for sale.

The pair have spoken out after speculation at the weekend that Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone was tabling a £700million bid to buy the club.

With the American billionaire Stan Kroenke also linked with a takeover Fiszman - Arsenal's leading shareholder with 24.1 per cent - decided it was time to speak out.

"I have no intention of selling my shares for the foreseeable future," said the 61-year-old Gunners director.

"The board is a strong unit. In April we agreed not to dispose of our interests for at least one year with the intention of retaining our interests thereafter. I hope that my position is absolutely clear."

Fiszman's comments merely backed up those from Edelman earlier this week, who denied that the board have ever considered selling since the controversial departure of vice-chairman David Dein back in April.

With US tycoon Kroenke buying up 12.2 per cent of shares shortly afterwards, speculation has been rife ever since that the American will also buy Dein's shares (14.6 per cent) and then be close to the 30 per cent threshold required for a takeover bid.

But Edelman denied that is the case: "Some of the comments that have been made on these issues are very wide of the mark," said Arsenal's managing director.

"I think the current shareholders have committed themselves to the club and believe in the club.

"Stan Kroenke is now a 12.2 per cent shareholder and we welcome him as a shareholder to Arsenal Football Club. But really that is the beginning and the end of the story at this juncture."

And Edelman is adamant that Arsenal do not need a big-money investor in the style of Chelsea's Roman Abramovich or the Americans who have bought Manchester United and Liverpool.

"You see talk about Arsenal needing a billionaire owner to put more money into the club but Arsène [Wenger] has always said, and the board also believe, that a football club can only really be run from the revenues that it generates itself over the long term.

"If you look at some of the other clubs with billionaire owners, their debts are mounting up.

"Anybody who invests in a club, particularly from overseas, maybe doesn't love the club the way our shareholders do - and they do buy into Arsenal more out of love than for financial return.



SOURCE-ISLINGTON GAZETTE

LINK- http://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/conte ... 3A31%3A150

[Cockerill's chin]

I'm a bit stuck about what to vote for.

I don't want the club owned by a billionaire as I can't see what their motivation would be. The return will be exceptionally long term. I also want the club to fund from their own revenue. Any other strategy would leave us in a precarious position should sugar daddy walk out.

However, I think the current board are holding tight for a year until the value of the Highbury development and the increased revenue from Emirates will be reflected in their share price. I also don't like being told there is £40million to spend whereas we net £15million instead.

We have seen £70k - £110k per week players leaving being replaced by £15k-£30k per week youngsters. I think the board are bumping up the short term profitability of the club, which will be reflected in their share price, while hoping AW can still deliver them CL qualification next season.

I dont think it's a case of HW not wanting to sell to his sort. He just doesn't want to sell to his sort yet.

My ideal situation is to have a board that will provide AW with 20-25million per year to grow the squad, without throwing out false morals about loving the club, while planning a bumper pay day.

We hear spin from the board that everyday over summer they wheel in barrow loads of transfer money into Fagin AW's office only to be rebuffed and have to dejectedly wheel the money back to the bank. I don't buy into this picture. OK, AW places more by youth development than any other Premiership manager, but I idolise AW and cannot accept that he would be shortsighted enough to not strengthen the current squad further. Especially with the ANC this year.

Therefore, lack of transfer activity must be down to the board (process of elimination!).

[T.S]

This was said a while ago. Anyway, have we learned nothing in recent weeks? Anyone involved in football is normally full of shit. Just because KF said he doesn't plan to sell his shares for the "foreseeable future" doesn't mean he is not going to sell them ever - it just means he isn't going to sell them right this very second - which only a madman would do with the season just around the corner.

Things change in football all the time. I would not get carried away with this being 'proof' that the board aren't going to sell up. Everybody has their price.

[Ben-gooner14]

Happy for one of the board to come out and say what's going on though.

[T.S]

Absolutely, Ben. I'd rather be fed (potential) bull shit than be fed nothing at all.

I think there is some truth in what he's saying, but he's clearly picked his words very carefully. He's sitting on the fence, while making it appear that he's clearing things up. I'm sure he'd love to stay on at the Club, but as I said before, everyone has their price and (I think) he knows it.

[gus ceasar is a legend]

Why is Stanley buying shares like a man possesed?

Why is Mr Dein keeping so quiet despite the the holdings in Arsenal he owns? Does DD let his power in Arsenal G14 and the FA slip away without a whimper?

Why are the board saying they wont sell their shares for a year? Its not a fucking season ticket is it!

Oh and all this is happening while Fizsman secures his tax exile status!

Now I aint Dixon of Dock Green or Cracker but I think I can read between the lines and see whats coming!

Like it or loathe it there will be a new owner in place soon! The Hill-Woods have no interest and know one to pass it on to!

Time to get rich(er) quick!

Personally if Dein is part of a takeover I have no problem with it as he has always looked after Arsenal before!