₦airaland Forum

BlueRayDick:
There's nothing u will tell spy that will make him agree with u or shift ground a bit. He usually holds what he believes to the heart and will not look at the merit of ur argument before rail-roading u into another corner. Article clearly stated that about the time Usmanov declared his interest the board came up with an unfavorable policy that obviously was targeted at him, yet spy is saying Usmanov should have declared interest earlier.

Everybody knows politics played major role in the reason why Kroenke is at the helms of affairs now and not Usmanov. See Abrahmovic that was successful in piloting chelsea to great heights with his investment in the country, see wetin dem still dey follow am drag.

Lol. I am not too hard hearted o. I easily succumb to superior argument. I also try to make the basis of my argument known. Like in this case, I am not arguing that there wasn't any political play that went on, but I am saying that those are no excuses for me. If I want to take over a club, I'll do so with my bargaining power. If I fail, I do not make excuses, I move on. Usmanov's claim are those of a man trying to pick on the club just because he failed.

Jodera:
Lol.. Where I know Spy lost the argument was when he said fans were happy that Kroenke took over. Like which fans . The time wey kroenke took over was same time arsene Wenger was saying arsenal no get money to fight other clubs in the transfer window sef

I just feel Spy didn't follow the Usmanov event else he won't be saying all those things and holding onto that preconceived opinion he had

The initial months after the take over fans were happy to have a millionaire owner hoping to be like Chelsea. That's until they experienced the first TW under Kroenke. When Kroenke took over I and the fans around were hopeful of someone bankrolling the club, but were left disappointed after the first TW. That's fact for me, probably you too if you can recall.

Jodera:
Do you know before the advent of Arab sugar daddies, it was the Russian Oligarchs that was the in-thing? Arsenal is a big club and usmanov is a Russian Oligarch, I'm just imagining the kind of rivalry Chelsea and arsenal matches would have been all these years not this kind of ekuke matches we've been having.
Was it not Arab sugar daddies that came to limelight in 2008(man city) and later PSG (2011). As at then Russian sugar daddies had Abrahamovic in Chelsea and even a club in Russia (I think Anzhi) but they couldn't sustain due to the low market there. All these signs points that Usmanov would have taken us to an enviable height Chelsea and Man city are enjoying presently if not for our stupid board decisions.

While I understand you saying Usmanov would have acted fast if he wanted arsenal the way he claim is you coming from a neutral point of view and giving arsenal board and kroenke benefit of doubt, but if you really followed the news that time, you'll know that politics played a big part in Usmanov not getting his desired ambition. Usmanov been no dey like our Dangote wey na so so talk talk him dey do

I don't know why you guys are defending Usmanov. Was he not a major shareholder even before Kroenke? Why didn't he bless us with money? I guess you may say he wasn't the sole owner, but so what? Has he ever been a sole owner? If you say politics, wasn't Abrahamovic under the same political conditions as he when he bought Chelsea? He had the chance to effect a takeover and he didn't. Forget politics biko, it's a game play it. We can give excuses for anything and everything. But as far as I am concerned, those excuses don't hold water. Because people under similar conditions have achieved more.

I point is clear.

benuejosh:
wetin pain. You're only sounding foolish. IPOB are Terrorist. Your hatred for Buhari will not allow you to look far beyond your room.

You are a foool. APC sponsored DSS UGM are the ones that killed Dr Akunyili. Everybody in the SE knows this. If not why haven't the killers been arrested? It's the same people that killed Gulak in Imo state because he was attacking Ali Mongonu. Nigerians are too daft.

kingthreat:
Army dey their own jeje for barracks, una invite them make them come. Igbos should tame ESN and IPOB to stop killing uniformed men, las las na the Igbos dey suffer am.

You are not informed. Army went to Izombe to arrest oil bunkers, in the process they kill someone. The people fought back over powered the soldiers and killed two of them.

The issue here is why will soldiers who are supposed to protect citizens be used against them? It's only in Nigeria that people rejoice when their military die.

kokanepyramid:
Most fans?

I strongly disagree!

Most fans were proponents of Usmanov takeover and not Kroenke. A lot were mad Kroenke refused to sell and were disappointed when he (Usmanov) was bought out of the club.

This was after Kroenke had taken the majority shareholding. What I was talking about was between 2004 and 2006. Usmanov started flirting about taking over the club (just as every Tom and Dick has done) when fans became dissatisfied with Kroenke.

dlollyboi:
It doesn't go off

The problem is my lnb missing H orientation.

kokanepyramid:
You and who thought Kroenke would.

The idea in the mind of most fans during the Kroenke takeover was that we would get something similar to what Chelsea were having with Abrahamovic. It was after the first transfer window, plus Wenger coming up with fake millions made available for transfers, that we realised things have not changed.

afrodoc2:
Usmanov although born in Uzbekistan is a Russian oligarch as well. He would have gone toe to toe financially with Abramovic just for bragging rights.

Usmanov was also richer than Abramovic. You guys lost out because of the snobbery of those board members.

Agreed. But the fact that he didn't and can only blame himself not anyone. He was the rishest owner in PL sometime but was not ready to solely own a club (I think).

BlueRayDick:
U’ve not been listening / reading all I’ve been saying . Usmanov is just like Abramovic; an Uzbek born Russian oligarch. He’s got everything Abramovic’s got including closeness to Putin.

He’s a potential sugar daddy our board let slide because of whatever political reasons they can use to justify not selling to him. Now they sold to the Amrican silent Stan see where we are.

What you have said is still speculation at best. Usmanov was dragging his feet and was usurped. Finish. Any other thing is old news.

Jodera:
Everything Blueray wrote(and afrodoc supplemented) was indeed correct, I remember that saga then, tho I couldn't deeply read all up but all the nit bits I read here was exactly what I read then. Then I remember my friends who were arsenal fans then were happy that Usmanov wants to take over and that Wenger will start spending massively(since him dey always use Emirates excuse as cover up) but were later disappointed as they read that the board didn't really want him.

Forget, Arsenal for win much more trophies if usmanov was our owner cos it was only him who had different idea on how our club was going, only him who was voicing out then and it was only him who accused our club of lacking ambition in winning trophies. E sure me say Wenger for don receive sack letter before 2017 sef

I did not counter what both said. My stand is that if Usmanov really wanted Arsenal solely he would have done so because he had the capacity. He had the majority shareholding and by law could declare a take over. He didn't, he was comfortable with being a part owner until Kroenke usurped him.

I don't like people making flimsy excuses for him about politics and all those shiits. Coming out later to say he had intentions for me doesn't hold water. And I stand by this, which also holds true for me as a principle. If you want something go get it, stop giving excuses. Besides what are the chances that Usmanov will release sugar money? We all thought Kroenke would but look now.

As I said, I will appreciate sugar daddies from any nationality. But it's those from Arabia that I can guarantee. So far they are the only ones save Abrahamovic.

BlueRayDick:
I believe in sugar daddies irrespective of nationality

Only Arabs are sugar daddies I know. The closests are the Russian oil moguls like Abrahomvic.

BlueRayDick:
I already pointed out Leicester owner of blessed memory to you. He’s not Arab , he bought the club , clean up their debts and still got them players and a good coach in Claudio Ranieri and they ended up with the league.

Any billionaire that likes the sport and majorly has interest in seeing his club win trophies will invest in his club ; it has nothing to do with nationality rather it’s the passion

I agree it has nothing to do with nationality. But we all know where most of the money is coming from.
The Leicester owner did not throw in sugar-money. The success he achieved was largely a product of chance and opportunity. Ordinarily, his investment in Leicester, while credible would never be enough to usurp the likes of City and co. I stand with my Arabs.

ObaIgwe1:
It was all politics though. In fairness to Usmanov, he was really interested in taking over Arsenal, but many of the then big shareholders did not like him, after Usmanov got up to 30% and wanted a takeover, other main shareholders plotted him out by selling to Kroenke instead, which ended making Kroenke the biggest shareholder...even at that Usmanov refused to sell to Kroenke for another 6 years... prolly hoping Kroenke will give up or lose interest in Arsenal.

But like you, I don't want Usmanov, I don't want Kroenke or Er or Dangote.... I want an oil rich billionaire who wouldn't feel any sense of loss if few billions go down the drain for the love of a club he loves. I want an owner that will call the best players in the world and ask them to name their price to come and play for his club...Only Arabs making money from unending wells of oil can do that... I don't know any real businessman that will do that; neither Elon Musk nor Jeff Bezos will.

So give me a sugar daddy from an oil rich Arab nation, then I will campaign for him.

Exactly. That's what I was trying to let Blueray know. It's only Arabs that can really spend money for football. They do so without counting the costs, unlike others who want to be shrewed.

As for Usmanov I am yet to be convinced that he was serious to own the club. He may have made comments, but so has many others including me.

BlueRayDick:
I was hoping u would ask the bold part of Ur post....well since u asked, here's few reasons I think the board didn't sell ro him:

1. Usmanov is an Uzbek-born Russian oligarchy that had spent time in prison for fraud/corruption charges in the past. He was later granted pardon

2. There’s been allegations in the past that Usmanov was convicted of rape charges, an allegation he’s denied vehemently .

3. He’s rumored to be close to Vladimir Putin considering his wife introduced a lady to Putin

We all know how the west particularly US and USA always act self righteous in matters like the ones above ...... It’s easier selling to an American who owns major shares in Walmart and other legal businesses than selling to a Russian Oligarch they believe is tainted with scandals and close to Vladimir Putin. I believe politics and political correctness is part of what got us(Arsenal) to this point

While your views may be true, it doesn't hold much water.

Usmanov was a already an owner by being a board member. He was already part of the Ars nal ownership. Also he was the majority shareholder and was raking up shares of other smaller owners. He was being represented by a holding company with the revered David Dein in charge which should absolve him from any scandal related clause. He also had Moshiri as partner.

Even Abrahamovic has his issues with his relationship with Putin and how he made his billions from state wealth.

Usmanov like many people (I am just looking at Daniel Eck and Dangote) are all talk and no action just to gain some popularity.

I dislike Kroenke, but there's been no concrete move from anyone to take over the club from him.

BlueRayDick:
You probably didn't read the story well or maybe u did but u already had something else in mind thereby making u interprete some parts of it wrongly.

What do u think this means; "Usmanov said he had been an Arsenal fan for seven years and he had a great love for Arsenal.[citation needed]

Usmanov's interest precipitated a "lock-down" agreement by the Gunners' board, whereby chairman Peter Hill-Wood announced that club directors could sell their stakes only to "permitted persons" before April 2009, and had to give fellow board members "first option" on shares until October 2012.[65] However, there was a termination clause in the agreement in October "


Usmanov declared his love for arsenal and his interest in future taking over bid....suddenly the board comes up with a "lock-down agreement" that had a clause saying the directors can only sell their shares to permitted persons. Do u know if Usmanov was among those permitted persons? ( We don't know and we can't assume they just came up with the agreement to favor him). Even the MD was boasting the lock down agreement was a bulletproof for them ( Whatever that means)

It is mere assumption on Ur part to say Usmanov bought the club just for money even when the article clearly stated that Usmanov held on to his shares for at least 6 more years even when Usmanov was flashing him money to buy him out. He even increased his shareholdings within that period sef.

As regards Ur last paragraph that only Arab's investors can help a club move up with funds, I disagree with that.Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha bought leicester, paid off their debts, pumped in money to the club and suddenly a club that was relegated to the third tier of football 8 years ago became league champions. Wo, anybody that loves a club and buys a club will help the club achieve great things like those good billionaires are doing.

We will never get any serious financial help from that yeye miserly Kroenke that's got stake in almost all American sports franchise......just look at how happy he was the moment they mentioned the ESL matter; because it means more profit for him irrespective of how good we were playing or how high/low our potentials of winning trophies is.

The error you are making is taking Usmanov's comments as intents. Any body can declare interest in something but it's those who actually put money down can be regarded as serious.
Why would the board refuse to sell to Usmanov and sold to Kroenke instead? Infact it was a rule that whoever has a majority stake of over 30% can declare a take over.
While Usmanov was dragging feet, Kroenke swooped in. Kroenke showed more intents by putting down money. Being a fan for seven years is no excuse or right. He is just using the current situation to draw sympathy. He could even be worse than Kroenke, we can never tell.

BlueRayDick:
Can u just imagine the nonsense the board did that made us end up with Silent Stan instead of Usmanov who knew the club management was shitty?

Read the story well, the board did nothing. Usmanov had the resources (he is richer than Kroenke) plus Moshiri as a partner, yet was too slow to take over the club. He wasn't serious about it. Kroenke saw his opportunity and took it. Usmanov was not interested in running the club, he only wanted to make profits, that's why he had David Dein in his corner. Forget Usmanov, the only investors that will make a club big are the Arabs. European or American investors are just there to make profits. That's apart from Abrahamovic.

Is 16e on? I am having difficulty tracking it.

BlueRayDick:
Hoping Lokonga will seize his chance and impress in the absence of Xhaka today

The line up we all want. They have had a week's rest. So we expect them to gain three points today.

BafanaBafana:
Bias means he doesn't support your ideals right?

Be honest with yourself, na fear catch dem. Even if Buhari walks alone in Onitsha main market, nobody will dare touch him. You guys fear the "north" too much.

Let him try it na. Make him cone my area.

paramakina202:
Ipobs had opportunity to remove the mask from the face of the impostor that called himself Buhari during his visit to Owerri but they cowardly hide under their bed in the name of sit at home.

Dear mumu,
Had it happened you would have said IPOB are terrorists. Now you know the truth. Keep fooling yourselves.

Regards
Sense

Has it started?

Could this be the language he talked about?

One day truth will surface. Terrorism has no place in Igboland. Whether IPOB or DSS God will punish those killing innocent lives.

The question is why would IPOB or any Igbo group kill Dr Akunyili? I can't see a reason.

IPOB have come out to deny having anything to do with it. They have blamed it on politics, that is on those who also killed Dora.

Neimar:
Ascending where

I will tell your daddy for you ...

Jodera:
Lol.. Ajax as a club is a former champion, I agree, but the players present there aren't the ones that are former champions na, else we for go Nottingham forest to go buy players too

Now here is my point, I'm not saying all players in Dutch league are bad or won't gel in EPL but that there are some attributes a player will have that will make them thrive in Dutch league but not EPL. There are things I look out for when recommending players and if it's strikers they are (in no particular order)

Good ball control, Positioning, Average to good speed, Finishing(both outside and inside the box), Interplay with your wingers, Strength

Now if a striker have at least 4 of this attributes, no matter the league I'll recommend him. I didn't see those in Haller and Abraham reason why even if dey bang 20+ goals in Ajax and As Roma just same way batshuayi bang in goals in Dortmund, I won't still be moved cos EPL have a way of exposing such players. That's not to say they're bad strikers or such leagues can't produce good players that can thrive in EPL.

Hope you get my point??

The last line is the problem you will have.

It's easier to draw the basis of the argument before proceeding if not e nor go end.

Which club is bigger?

In terms of
1. European success
2. UEFA coefficient
3. Fan base
4. Player quality
5. Financial muscle
6. Popularity
7. History

You and iamoyindamola should use these to determine how the argument will end. Cheers!

Jodera:
Exactly... Esp since xhaka went to injury, instead of introducing Lokonga or Niles, it was Pepe that was introduced. While on paper it looks good but that 433 formation doesn't suit us for now cos we'll be to light weight and flat to play it.

I wasn't impressed with our Burnley and Norwich display at all, and that's because of lack of that midfield balance

You are right about it being flat. I was personally an advocate of that formation so that ESR and Odegaard can both play in AM but I have noticed that it impedes their movements and technicalities in that either if them will have to drop deeper each time to link up play. That job can easily be done by either Partey or Lokonga hence it's better seeing them spaced out and ESR doing what he does best- drifting infield from LW with pace.
Also playing 4-3-3 would mean an extra attacker. Which will not add much to our attacking pressure as the options left are Martinelli or Pepe in LW which we don't want at all as starting lineup. I'd rather see both come in to close a game in the post 60mins of the match.

onuwaje:
It may take years for Barcelona to escape their debt predicament, so fans may need to brace for a painful long-term rebuild.

{Goal.com}

600years to be precise.

ThierryJay:
Turned Barcelona to Stokealona cos of Luke de Jonzing, and to what end? Even the excuse that Barca dont have good enough players doesnt cut it. One on one, can Benfica's players match Barca player's pedigree. The annoying thing was it was so easy for Benfica. Never before has Barca been overrun like a relegation team against an average team in UCL.

Now we can see the tremendous cracks Messi's outrageous brilliance was helping to cover at Barca. At least it was only whenever we faced Europe's best that our yansh was opened with Messi included. Nowadays, every Tom Dick and Harry (Other than 1996-born Sheriff) has a big chance of tearing us to shreds. Quite unbelievable.

Dear Cule, if you are still living in delusion, the reality upon us now is that we are now completely at Arsenal's level and only God knows whenever we'll escape this mediocrity. First things first, the clueless incompetent Konman should find his way out.

Quite an admission. But try to be updated. Arsenal is now ascending while you're descending.

Fkhalifa:
You could have said a feat in the past decade And not entirety.

Funny enough, many midtable English clubs are bigger than league toppers in other countries irrespective of European exploits. An example is a club like Young Boys. Compare them to Tottenham or Everton.

PROUDIGBO:
Blaming IPOB was always going to be the next stage of the plot after murdering Dr Akunyili! Does it make sense that any true Igbo blud will want to harm Dr Dora Akunyilis’ husband!? For what!?

Exactly nwanne. Why would IPOB want to kill Akunyili? Why?

The same thing they said when Gulak was killed in Imo State. Up till now no investigation.


Instead of doing investigations they will be blaming people anyhow. For the records, IPOB have issued a statement that they didn't carry out the killings. The denial is enough.