'I have full support from the board' - Wenger rubbishes Usmanov comments

ARSENE WENGER has hit back at Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov by insisting he does have the backing of the club’s board.

The Russian billionaire has criticised the Gunners’ decision to sell star striker Robin van Persie to rivals Manchester United in the summer. 

Usmanov, who has a 30 per cent stake in the Gunners but does not have a place on the club’s board, says Wenger is being left hamstrung by the club’s strict budget. 

Usmanov said: “The decision [to let Robin van Persie leave] is a mistake. 

“Mr Wenger is one of the best coaches in the world. He has had many, many difficulties — of course today less so — during the last five years. 

“He hasn’t had enough support to achieve his conceptions of the game, with resources for transfers or keeping players.” 

But Wenger has rubbished Usmanov’s comments — who is worth an estimated £18billion. 

He added: “I believe I have always had the support from the board, and am very grateful for that. 

“We have worked over the years in respecting in what we did, which is to always work within our financial resources. 

“Therefore, we made decisions which, from outside looked not based on footballing reasons, but it was based on financial reasons as well.” 

Meanwhile, Usmanov, 59, claims it is still his dream to own Arsenal, who are currently controlled by American businessman Stan Kroenke with a 66.7 per cent share. 

He said: “I have big stake in Arsenal, of course I have my opinion what we must do. 

“For example in the commercial side there are many questions over the effectiveness of commercial side of Arsenal. 

“But we will see may be when I wake up some day I will have this Arsenal club.” 

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Source: theSun