Gunners gear-up for lively shareholders’ meeting

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.

The Gunners have found themselves subject to just as much attention for off-field matters as their footballing achievements this season, with speculation continuing that the club are next in line for a foreign takeover.

However, after recently publishing impressive financial results, the board have continued to maintain their stance that Arsenal is not for sale.

Today’s meeting in the Woolwich Suite is, nevertheless, sure to see the issue brought up again.

It is understood both significant stakeholders, American Stan Kroenke and Russian Alisher Usmanov, are likely to be represented rather than appear in person.

Indeed, Usmanov’s investment company Red and White Holdings which now owns around 23% and is the second-largest shareholder behind director Danny Fiszman issued a statement yesterday “to reiterate its support of Arsenal Holdings plc and its position as a long-term investor”.

Usmanov had been looking to build a so-called ‘blocking stake’ of 25%, but now looks to have softened his stance, as the statement added intentions “to vote in favour of all the resolutions at the upcoming AGM”.

There could, of course, still be the added twist of an appearance by former vice-chairman David Dein, who now fronts up RAWHL in a non-executive role.

The AGM though will also present the opportunity for those who also have a vested interest in Arsenal, albeit on a much smaller scale to publicly voice their concerns.

Arsene Wenger is scheduled to give his customary address towards the end of the AGM.

Arsenal have chalked up a superb sequence of 10 straight victories in all competitions — their best run since the ‘Invincibles’ campaign of 2003-04, and not bad for a side expected to struggle following the summer sale of star man Thierry Henry.

With the visit of managerless Bolton to come this weekend, the Arsenal manager cannot wait to get his men back into domestic action.

“We have shown some great games since the start of the season and I even feel we can improve, so I am keen and impatient to get them back here so we can go,” said Wenger.

“I am very happy to work with this team because every day is a pleasure.”

The Gunners boss, though, is set for some tough decisions when Premier League action resumes this weekend.

Veteran goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is vying for a return to first-team action after proving his fitness from an elbow problem with Germany during the international break.

But it remains to be seen whether Wenger will stick instead with Manuel Almunia.

Arsenal could be boosted by the availability of Tomas Rosicky, should the Czech midfielder come through the game against Germany unscathed.

However, his national federation have warned the winger, who has seen his progress hampered by a run of niggling injuries, needs to be handled very carefully.