It certainly looked like the stability in the board room of Arsenal had been restored when peace was made with the two largest shareholders American Stan Kroenke (12.4%) and Russian Alisher Usmanov ( 24% through his Red and White Holding company). Both shareholders were invited to take a seat on the Board. Arsenal has also just recently appointed a new CEO Ivan Gazidis to replace Keith Edleman who departed very suddenly.

Now Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith and Richard Carr, who between them own more than 20 per cent of the company's shares, have left the board of Arsenal Holdings plc. Richad Carr, who has been a director for 27 years, has dramatically left both the club and company boards with immediate effect. Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood said,"Lady Nina is no longer representing the club and therefore is released from the lockdown."


This could mean a number of things.

1, There has been a change in policy at Arseanl and the board have decided to make extra funds available to Arsene Wenger to buy players. The Bracewell camp might not have wanted to put their hands in their pockets or see the club taking on extra debt

2, With the hiring of Ivan Gazidis Arsenal were looking to make the club a more commercial establishment. The Board know that unless they keep Arsenal playing in Europe and improve their world-wide appeal the chances of financial success would be very much limited.

3, It was understood that at the shareholders meeting held last week the Supporters Club had suggested that more shares be made available to the loyal Arsenal fan base. So it could be that some of the Bracewell-Carr shares could be sold to the Supporters Club so that more fans could be involved and it would offer the supporters more of a say in the running of the clubs affairs.

4, The Barcewell-Carr camp have lost their interest in the club and just wanted out.


Arsenal fans: What do you think this sudden change means to the club? Do you think this could mean a takeover of the club by one of the overseas shareholders? Don’t you care as long as Wenger gets money to buy players in January?