Alisher Usmanov, Arsenal’s minority owner who nonetheless does not have a seat on the board, has recently released a statement backing the club’s decision to hand manager Arsène Wenger a new two-year contract.
“I am pleased Arsene Wenger will continue to manage Arsenal for the next two years - he is one of the best coaches in Europe,” Usmanov’s statement read, per Sky Sports. "What is now of paramount importance is that he receives the full support of the board and the majority shareholder.”
Usmanov has often been compared favorably by Arsenal fans to Stan Kroenke for potentially being the sort of ambitious, hands-on owner that Kroenke isn’t. Yet it’s Kroenke’s incessant support of Wenger that has so often been cited as a major example of his managerial failings.
In other words, perhaps Stan Kroenke isn’t really Arsenal’s biggest problem. Or least Usmanov isn’t the answer to all of the club’s.
Still, it’s worth mentioning Usmanov cryptically re-iterated his interest in taking over Arsenal, saying in his statement, "If the support [for Wenger] is not forthcoming we stand ready to step in and do everything we can to deliver success on and off the field.”