Arsenal hero Keown backs Usmanov share issue plans

Arsenal hero Martin Keown is backing Alisher Usmanov's share issue proposal.

Keown told the Daily Star: “That may have been the temptation for him to go there, but he might be able to have that on his own doorstep with the money coming in from Usmanov.

“When you’re going after the top players sometimes it’s nice to be able to push that little bit extra for the players you need.

“Liverpool have just done that with Glen Johnson, paid a little bit more than they wanted. But they had the cash available to do it. Wenger hasn’t had that luxury.

“Arsenal are trying to be successful in the same league as Chelsea with all of Roman Abramovich’s millions, Manchester City, who are the wealthiest club in the world now, and Manchester United, with the biggest turnover in the world.

“What they’ve done to stay close to that company is nothing short of a miracle. But with an injection of cash, could they go the whole way?”