Usmanov: Arsenal must stop ripping off its fans

Arsenal's number two shareholder, Alisher Usmanov, has attacked majority shareholder Stan Kroenke and other directors for not investing in more world-class players. He says it is "simple commercial logic" to invest in a stronger team that can win trophies.

He also supports those fans angered by the board's 6.5 per cent ticket price hike. Indeed, Usmanov's outburst - in an interview with yesterday's News of the World - looks like a direct appeal to the club's fans.

The Uzbek billionaire is still not a director despite owning nearly 30 per cent of the club. Asked whether he wanted to be on the board, he said: "If the role of a board member is to oversee a trophyless period, while making significant personal profits and asking fans to pay the cost with inflation-busting ticket prices increases then, no, I would not want to be on the board."

If, on the other hand, the role of a board member was "to increase your personal investment in the club, to help develop the commercial position and to ensure the fans have a say in the running of the club then, yes, I think I certainly have something to contribute."

Like many of the club's dispirited supporters, after a season that started so promisingly and ended so miserably, Usmanov believes the squad needs a stronger spine, including a powerful defensive midfielder "in the mould of Claude Makelele".

And star players like Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas  - "one of the best footballers in the world" in Usmanov's view - must be held on to.

Usmanov remains loyal to Arsene Wenger but believes the manager needs more than a pot of money to succeed - he needs support of the kind he used to get from Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, who sold his stake to Usmanov in 2007.

"Too much is expected of him [Wenger] on his own," he said. "Arsenal had Dein out there every day living and breathing the club and working closely with Wenger to secure the best players.

"They haven't had that for three or four years and it can be no coincidence that Arsenal has not won anything during that time." ·