The Independent says both billionaires - and major shareholders - are likely to be represented rather than appear in person.

There could still be the added twist of an appearance by the former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, who now fronts up Usmanov's Red & White Holdings in a non-executive role.

Dein sold his 14.5 per cent share to Usmanov's group for £75m in August, a few months after leaving the Arsenal board following a schism over the role of Kroenke - who was then seen as a hostile investor but is now viewed as very much a long-term ally.