Russian Bid & Champions League draw 31 August, 2007

Well yesterday Davis Dein sold his 15% percent share in Arsenal to Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov. He’s something like the 150th richest man in the world and has a box at Ashburton Grove. Usmanov has started a name, Red & White under which the shares have been bought and has named Dein as Chairman of it. Farhad Moshiri who is a business associate of Usmanov’s is also part of this Red & White group.

Their intentions are clear, they want to take over Arsenal, and David Dein believes their bid is the way forward for Arsenal. I’m not sure where this puts Stan Kroenke now, maybe he will continue to compete but it is likely that Red & White will make him an offer for his share.

Gilbertosilver and Arseblogger understand these sort of things a lot better than me so if you fancy finding out more and reading their opinions then definitely visit Gunnerblog and Arseblog.

I suppose if I want anyone to take over Arsenal I would want it to be someone with the best interests for Arsenal at heart and it seems (on the surface anyway) that this is the intention of Red & White. Dein has many times told us he’s loved this club since he was six, he’s done a great deal for us and put a lot of money and effort into Arsenal, but recently it seems he’s become a little focused on the takeover of Arsenal. Also, the man with the money, Alisher Usmanov is a keen follower of Arsenal and has a box at the Grove. The reality of life today is that everything is about money; however at least we have people here who might give a toss what happens to the club.

I’ll talk more on this once I properly understand what’s going on but that’s the basics of it, as I understand it.

Yesterday the Champions League group stages were selected. Below is the draw we got:

Group H:
Arsenal
Sevilla/AEK Athens
Steaua Bucharest
Slavia Prague

Seville and AEK play on Monday night but you have to expect the side from Spain to progress. I think it was a pretty good draw for us. Seville are a very good side but you have to think we are capable of finishing in the top two in Group H. Our first match is away at Steaua Bucharest on the 2nd October. You can see the rest of the draw here; Liverpool got Porto, Chelsea have Valencia and Man United go back to Roma where their fans were battered by Italian Police.

Right I’m off. Have a nice weekend everyone.