Alisher Usmanov: 'Thierry Henry backs me to take over Arsenal'

Thierry Henry
© PA Photos
Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov has revealed that Gunners legend Thierry Henry has backed the businessman to take full control of the North-London club.

Usmanov, who holds the second-largest stake in the Premier League outfit, has publicly criticised manager Arsene Wenger on a number of occasions and has taken a fresh swipe at the Frenchman's transfer policy.

"I like many footballers, and I'm in contact with some of them," Usmanov told L'Equipe. "Perhaps my favourite of the last 10, 15 years is Thierry Henry. He's pushing me to buy all of Arsenal's shares but I cannot predict the future.

"The greatest achievement of Arsene Wenger is to have created two teams - the one that now plays for our rivals and the one that is trying to be among the best in the Premier League."

Ashley Cole, Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie have been among those that have been sold to the club's rivals during Wenger's tenure.
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1Manchester United384389
2Manchester City383278
3Chelsea383675
4Arsenal383573
5Tottenham Hotspur382072
6Everton381563
7Liverpool382861
8West Bromwich Albion38-449
9Swansea City38-446
10West Ham United38-846
11Norwich City38-1744
12Fulham38-1043
13Stoke City38-1142
14Southampton38-1141
15Aston Villa38-2241
16Newcastle United38-2341
17Sunderland38-1339
RWigan Athletic38-2636
RReading38-3028
RQueens Park Rangers38-3025