The Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov currently owns around 27% of the shares in Arsenal Football Club, and admitted today that he is so impressed with the way his “investment is rising” that he will carry on increasing his stake in the club until it reaches the 29.9 needed to stay below the takeover threshold.

Stan Kroenke already owns that amount, and it will then become a Mexican standoff to see who will force a full takeover by grabbing the final 0.1 percent, but Usmanov is more than happy to maintain the status quo while Wenger is steadily increasing the value of the shares.

“The goal is to increase the holding up to a blocking stake, 29.9 per cent,” he said. “Afterwards, we’ll see what to do further. If all the shareholders are united by then like they are now, we’ll keep it at that level.

“I chose to invest significant money in Arsenal because I consider it to be one the world’s most well-structured football clubs, with one of the best stadiums and led by a genius coach, Arsène Wenger. I don’t regret this investment. It’s not dropping in value, it’s rising only.”

The think about “investing” in Arsenal is different to other big clubs, because other than just buying the shares (which increase in value), you don’t actually have to dip into your own pocket to pay for players! It’s no wonder he is happy to be making money hand over fist……