The Arsenal board aren't expected to embrace plans from Alisher Usmanov of a share issue.

The Guardian says the board are expected to prove resistant to any attempt by the Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, the second biggest investor in the club, to underwrite a £100m rights issue when they discuss the matter at a board meeting this week.

Usmanov, who owns 25% of Arsenal, has written to the board proposing the capital-raising exercise as a means of reducing the club's £400m debts and providing the manager, Arsène Wenger, with significant funds for this summer's transfer market.

But there are fears within the Emirates hierarchy that the scheme may prove a means by which Usmanov gains greater control in the boardroom.