ARSENAL chairman Peter Hill-Wood admits there is every reason to expect there will be further discussions with American billionaire Stan Kroenke over how his involvement within the Barclays Premier League club can be “extended”.

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood admits there is every reason to expect there will be further discussions with American billionaire Stan Kroenke over how his involvement within the Barclays Premier League club can be “extended”.

Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has issued a statement to the Stock Exchange confirming his Red and White Holdings company “has no current intention to make an offer” for Arsenal.

Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman believes manager Arsene Wenger will stay with the club for at least another eight years – but scotched suggestions the Frenchman would be handed a seat on the board.

GROUNDED ROBIN: Striker Robin van Persie could be out for a month through injury and miss games with Slavia Prague, Liverpool and Manchester United.

Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman believes today’s announcement of a new five-year lock-down agreement by directors not to sell any more shares “kills” any takeover speculation.

ARSENAL’S minority shareholders will get a first-hand chance to quiz the board during what is expected to be a lively annual general meeting at the Emirates Stadium today.

Alisher Usmanov, the Russian billionaire who owns 23% of Arsenal, has said he does not want to be “a hostage to any hostilities” which remain between the current board and former vice-chairman David Dein.

RUSSIAN billionaire Alisher Usmanov last night insisted he has no immediate plans to take over Arsenal, but admitted: “This is business life and things can change”.

Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman has insisted Alisher Usmanov does not want to take over the club.

Russian Alisher Usmanov has further increased his stake in Arsenal to 23%, it was announced this morning.

Arsene Wenger accepts it was something of a “gamble” to move on without Thierry Henry but the Arsenal manager is confident his men are up to the challenge of the Champions League.