It’s ‘business as usual’ at Arsenal with Arsene Wenger claiming he did not see the upheaval that has rocked the boardroom. Arsenal’s shares have held their own on the Plus market in recent months with the few that have come on the market selling for £7,500 each. The club has argued that its financial base is more stable than its top four rivals, although it has been hit by the downturn in the property market. The most closely-watched board member is diamond dealer Danny Fiszman.
It’s ‘business as usual’ at Arsenal with Arsene Wenger claiming he did not see the upheaval that has rocked the boardroom. Arsenal’s shares have held their own on the Plus market in recent months with the few that have come on the market selling for £7,500 each. The club has argued that its financial base is more stable than its top four rivals, although it has been hit by the downturn in the property market. The most closely-watched board member is diamond dealer Danny Fiszman. A shareholder since 1999, he holds 24.1 per cent, but is a tax exile in Switzerland and only an occasional visitor to the Emirates. He is thought to be allied to US sports franchise owner Stan Kroenke who owns 12.4 per cent of the club. Fiszman has told Bloomberg that he had ‘no intention’ of leaving the club and that he would ‘certainly look’ at Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith’s stake if it became available. Lady Nina had complained for several months that her fellow Arsenal directors did not accord her the respect that her shareholding and family heritage deserved. It is said that some 90 per cent of her assets are tied up in her 15.9 per cent shareholding.