Arsene Wenger is one of the greatest managers Arsenal has ever had. In the last few years he has performed arguably his best work by continuing to deliver Champions League football within the financial constraints created by the move to the Emirates stadium. Arsene must stay but if there is a need for change it is to the parameters within which he has been forced to work. The Trust met with impressive new chief executive Ivan Gazidis last week. He understands the importance of providing both the funds and hands-on support for the manager in the transfer market so that Arsene can complete his work and take Arsenal back to the top. All shareholders, large and small, should unite behind this plan and play their respective parts in it”.

Last week Arsenal Football Club held a meeting for shareholders with Arsene Wenger. Representatives of the AST attended this meeting, as did some of our members. None of the AST Board members present nor our regular members were involved in the questions that have led to adverse supporter and media comment. The questions posed by AST Board members were constructive ones focused on corporate governance issues such as the relationship Arsene has with the new Chief Executive; what the manager would do if a rights issue injected 100m (answer: invest it in players to take the club forward) and his observations on the current ownership structure.

For more information please contact Tim Payton on 07713 252729.