News
Ownership questions remain unanswered
A friendly atmosphere at the 2009 Arsenal AGM, with Arsene Wenger's contribution as usual the highlight of the event. On his 60th birthday the manager was in good form as he discarded his usual form of words to display some real confidence that the team can win some silverware this season.
Chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, was the other main point of interest; his maiden AGM speech outlining a vision for Arsenal's future, whilst also speaking about the strategic review currently underway at the Club, the need to engage all stakeholders "including critically the fans" and stressed the 'Arsenalisation' currently underway is very much the beginning, not the end, of turning the stadium into a home.
The elephant in the room was the future ownership of the Club; one shareholder invited Stan Kroenke to outline his plans but chairman Peter Hill-Wood intervened to say Stock Exchange rules would not allow such a discussion.*
More impressions and detail to follow.
23 Oct 2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The Code states: "The person making the statement may [not] within six months from the date of the statement announce an offer or possible offer for the offeree company."
In other words, if Mr Kroenke had said he had no intention to buy the club then for the next six months he could make no further moves. Alisher Usmanov has previously made such announcements.
