Gunnerblog

Stand with AST, AISA, and Redaction against takeover

1 comment October 6th, 2007

The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, Arsenal Independent Supporters’ Association, and RedAction are working closely on a series of complementary activities to demonstrate their support for the current board and their refusal to back a takeover – and action will begin at tomorrow’s televised game with Sunderland.

RedAction, who have recieved a donation from AIST to support their activities, are expected to be at the forefront of that.  Their statement of intent can be read in full here.

The AIST sent out an email this morning which read as follows:

“AISA believes that the strategies followed by the current Board of Directors, and their predecessors, have delivered stability and success over many years. We do not support moves for effective control of the Club to be transferred to any one individual or company, and particularly not to investors and others that have no long-term connection or involvement in Arsenal Football Club.
 
AISA is totally opposed to any changes in the ownership of the Club that would lead to a major increase in debt or in securing short-term profits through significant hikes in ticket prices.
 
We will support and work with other fans organisation, such as the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust and REDaction, that have similar views.
 
We very much welcome statements from Peter Hill-Wood and Danny Fiszman about their role as custodians of the Club. We believe that the development of a corporate structure that allows for effective involvement and representation from shareholders and supporters is something that the Board should consider.
 
Whilst we recognise that in football it is difficult to ever say “never” AISA finds it difficult to envisage any circumstances in the foreseeable future where we could support a major change in the ownership of Arsenal Football Club that is not supported by the Board of the Club.”

The AST, who have been superb at keeping Gunnerblog informed with the latest development in the shareholding saga, have also recently made their opposition to Usmanov’s takeover bid absolutely clear.  It’s fantastic news for Arsenal fans, as groups who have the sheer man-power to make tangible demonstrations of our opposition have been mobilised.  Blogs such as this one can only do so much – we’re essentially one man bands.

Whilst I’m massively behind Redaction, I do hope that nothing will overshadow our quite outstanding start to the season.  We must remember that Sunday is no friendly – Sunderland are a decent side with a talented manager.  Lose focus and we could be in peril.

The return of Roy Keane to Arsenal will bring back memories of the amazing clashes between he and Patrick Vieira throughout the late nineties and early part of this decade.  In today’s Premiership, no rivalry can touch the one that existed between Manchester United and Arsenal.  I don’t think any objective fan would do anything other than salivate at the prospect of another title race between those two footballing behemoths.

Regarding Sunday, our squad is close to full fitness, but not close enough to make Arsene Wenger’s selection headache any worse.  Jens Lehmann, for example, is not fit to play Sunday but will travel with the German national team next week.  Convenient, eh.

I expect our team to be remarkably similar if not identical to the one that saw of Bucharest in the week.  Arsene will want to keep our lead and momentum going into the International week, and won’t be taking Sunderland lightly.

Finally, a little note on today: Black Saturday, with just one 3pm kick-off, and only two games today.  It’s an absolute joke.  In a game in which tradition is so valued that advances in technology are continually rejected, the way in which the league prostitutes itself to television is embarrassing.

Have a good weekend.