Major shareholder Alisher Usmanov would love to splash the cash for Arsenal. He is keen to invest huge sums akin to Roman Abramovich's approach at Chelsea to restore Arsenal to former glories and his willingness to spend will resonate with those supporters unhappy at the club's transfer policy.

"For me, Arsene Wenger is one of the best coaches in the world but it's not easy for him," said Usmanov. "I think he deserves that players are brought in when needed. If that happens, we can ask everything of him. But, today, he's sacrificed because of the policy.

"Everything's in Mr Kroenke's hands and I hope he succeeds, even if he doesn't go along with my ideas. The greatest achievement of Arsene Wenger is to have created two teams: the one that now plays for our rivals and the one that is trying to be among the best in the League.

"That's why I say it's not enough to merely flatter the coach but to give him the possibility to buy superstars. And not just stars but those chosen by Wenger."