Usmanov: Wenger needs financial backing to strengthen

Billionaire tycoon and shareholder Alisher Usmanov has said that manager Arsène Wenger should be given the financial backing to strengthen the current squad.

The Uzbek also concurred with popular consensus that the defence of the team should be improved.

Usmanov said: “There is a widely-held view among most commentators – and one that I agree with – that the club needs to stiffen the defensive spine of the team, with a dominant keeper, strong centre-halves and a powerful defensive midfielder in the mould of Claude Makelele.

“The Premier League is one of the most competitive in the world and whilst we have consistently challenged for honours, the club needs to develop talent and buy top-class players to win the trophies we all crave.

“This requires greater investment which, I believe, has been lacking thus far.

“What however is not clear is whether the board shares this view.

“For too long they have seemed happy to sanction second, third and fourth as being acceptable, whilst at the same time they are planning to sell their shares.”