Dein / Cesc

April 18, 2007 on 11:45 pm | In Arsenal FC | posted by Block19er |

Tonight the massive news broke that David Dein, devoted gooner, and long-term board member has left the club. Dein owns approx. 14% of Arsenal Holdings. His decision to step down from the board was total shock to most Gooners. Dein is seen as being responsible for bringing both Dennis Bergkamp & Arsene Wenger to the club. It is obvious fans will want to back Dein, who is seen as a gooner through and through. It is important to remember Peter Hill-Wood is also an Arsenal man. The reason for leaving is that Dein did not agree with the rest of the board and it is pointed to that it was over the potential sale of the club. Nobody knows whether he was for the sale or against it but the rest of the major share-holder equal to 45% have signed a deal to guarantee they will not sell the club for 12 months. 

If Dein was to sell his 14% he would get at least £55 Million. If KSE purchase his shares it would send Stan Kroenke over the 25% fresh-hold. Personally I’d like to thank Dein for all his effort with Arsenal. He has been a major part of what has been a great 10 years for the gunners. 

One worry Gooners will have is Wenger’s stance on the situation. I can’t see him leaving his post as Arsenal chief just because Dein (a friend) has gone. After all Wenger’s position is totally to do with football and nothing to do with the business issues Dein left for. Wenger has been saying since the City game that Cesc already has a big physical presence in Midfield.  Cesc has had 2 great games in the last week and driven Arsenal into an 8 point lead for 4th spot. Even pointing the way to third spot. Cesc also scored the 50th Arsenal goal at Ashburton Grove on Tuesday. It was a beauty too. If he could become a double figure goal scorer we’d be in a lot stronger position. We need goals from midfield all through next season to mount a bigger challenge on the Premiership. 

Positive news on the injury front, both Freddie and Diaby should be fit for Spuds away, with those two back in the squad we should ease past the girls from the wrong side of the Seven Sisters.