don't plunder the goose
kojodinho - talkingOfArsenal.com
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I'm not sure how or when this happened, however Usmanov's original intentions to purchase Arsenal stock as a result of the attractiveness of the brand seems to have now morphed into some kind of prolonged takeover.
This might well be self-denial on my part, or even an unwarranted episode of 'living in hope', however I believe the quote from the Ukranian billionaire did not categorically state that he was intent on buying the club - the quote (as it appears on the BBC website) was:
"We don't have the capacity today, but this is business and life is changing. Something that you can't do today, maybe you can do tomorrow."
Two things to note - firstly, he admits he doesn't have 'the capacity' today (whatever that means) and secondly he uses the phrase - "maybe you can do tomorrow". If we take this at face value (and there's currently no track record to suggest for or against), this implies that it is unlikely that he will make a bid for the club. Most of the English press seem to have ignored the "maybe", in preference to a somewhat more sensationalist tone.
Obviously, this could all just be positioning on Usmanov's part in preparation for a stealthy takeover.
Thing is, Usmanov's core business competencies lie elsewhere other than football, and it is unlikely that he would take over Arsenal Football Club with a view to owning it in the long term. Were he ever to find himself in ownership of the club, it would make more sense that he look for a buyer in the long term in order that he can reap the margins that undoubtedly the Arsenal brand would yield.
This is no less comforting, as it is unlikely that Usmanov as owner of Arsenal, would exhibit the same due diligence that the current board have adopted in scrutinising potential buyers with a view to maintaining the clubs principles and culture.
Looking at the last few years, we seem to have swapped on-field inconsistency and stability in the boardroom, with success (in the short term at least) on the field, and uncertainty in the boardroom. It must be said too, that Wenger has done an absolutely magnificent job shielding the players from the boardroom goings-on.
Hopefully, any buyer of the club worth their salt will appreciate that any attempt to interfere with the technical side of the club, which is Wenger's domain, will see the value of their investment plummet in the long run.
Here's to hoping that any future owner doesn't plunder the goose, along with the golden eggs it laid.
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