Gunners shareholder Fiszman: No secret meetings

Arsenal’s largest shareholder has denied claims he held secret talks with potential investors from Russia.

Danny Fiszman claimed a report published earlier this week was “a total lie” and insisted the Gunners board remain committed to not selling off their shares in the north London club.

“The board have always and will always act in the best interests of this football club,” he told the club's website www.arsenal.com.

“It is public knowledge that members of the board are committed to retaining their interests in the club and for anyone to purport that I have been involved in ’secret meetings’ is a total lie.

“Arsene (Wenger, manager) and his staff have been developing a young but talented squad that plays stylish, attacking football.

“Now that the new stadium feels like home and the team have one more year’s experience under their belt, I believe that the future is bright.”

Fiszman is a lifelong Gunners supporter and was instrumental in Arsenal’s move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium.

The club have recently been linked with a rumoured takeover by American businessman Stan Kroenke, although the board have repeatedly denied they would be receptive to any offers.

Disagreements over Kroenke’s investment in the club were reported to be behind the recent departure of vice-chairman David Dein.