Arsenal fans come together

Arsenal's Supporters Board (ASB) have given their support to the current Arsenal board in light of the threat of a Russian takeover through Alisher Usmanov. Usmanov is looking to push his stake past 25 percent.

But the Arsenal Independent Supporters' Association (AISA) and fellow fans group RedAction are both concerned by Usmanov's comments this week that his long-term ambition is to own the club outright.

An AISA statement read: "We do not support moves for effective control of the club to be transferred to any one individual or company, and particularly not to investors and others that have no long-term connection or involvement in Arsenal Football Club.

"AISA is totally opposed to any changes in the ownership of the club that would lead to a major increase in debt or in securing short-term profits through significant hikes in ticket prices."

A RedAction spokesman added: "We have been astonished by some of the comments from Red and White Holdings.

"This board of directors have delivered the premier stadium in Europe and most importantly have re-signed Mr Wenger to continue our playing development over the next few years."