Gunners share sale set to spark takeover frenzy

THERE was a dramatic development in the battle for control of Arsenal last night after it emerged that the Gunners’ third largest shareholder Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith is poised to sell her stake in the club.

Her decision to sell has triggered speculation that an imminent takeover could be on the cards for the Emirates Stadium outfit with American Stan Kroenke and Russian Alisher Usmanov both waiting in the wings.

Bracewell-Smith, who owns a 15.9% share in the north London side, could make £80 million (€90.5m) if she sells out altogether and she is understood to have hired Blackstone, a US group, to find a buyer.