Arsenal AGM / Thoughts

October 18, 2007 on 11:15 pm | In Arsenal FC | posted by Jack |

As the other two posts today have touched upon, today was the Arsenal AGM. The main topic was obviously the takeover threats we have been under, and I am happy to say positive progress was made.

The crucial point is, as Ben mentioned earlier, the board signed a revised lock-down agreement. The previous lock-down was due to expire in April, so it’s nice to have a new one signed before the press even started to spread the usual bullshit about one of the board selling out. There are some differences between the old lock-down, and this new agreement. Essentially, the lock-down terms have been loosened slightly, but the length extended significantly. Up until April 2009, board members can only sell to “permitted persons” - like family. Until October 2012, fellow board members have first option on any shares a fellow board member is looking to sell. The final point is that there is a termination clause in the agreement, which would allow it to be stopped in October 2010. On the whole I think this is a positive step, and re-enforces the current board’s commitment.

Arseblog has an interesting in-depth report from someone at the AGM, with some interesting little pieces of information. Worth a read if you want to know everything that happened at the meeting, from start to finish! Arsene seemed quite touched by the bronze bust Arsenal commission of him, which number7 wrote about earlier. “This is too big an honour,” Arsene said. I think it’s a nice gesture, and one of which he is fully deserving. There is no doubting the amazing impact Wenger has had on Arsenal. He received a long standing ovation from the attendees at todays meeting.

Speaking of attendees, neither Usmanov or Kroenke deemed our AGM important enough to attend in person. Although I have read nothing concrete, I understand both had representatives present - although Dein was not representing Usmanov. Usmanov really is a cunt - you cannot call yourself an Arsenal fan and then skip the most importantly meeting of the year, especially if he is trying to convince people he has Arsenal’s best interests at heart. Wanker.

van Persie has got a nasty twisted knee in the internationals, as was mentioned earlier today here. The Arsenal medical team haven’t actually seen him yet, but Wenger today reckoned he would be out for a month, meaning he will miss crucial matches against Liverpool and United. This is such a huge blow for us. As you can see from this image from Getty Images, it doesn’t look good. Poor lad.

This does give Eduardo a big chance, hopefully he can take it and replicate some of his form for Croatia for us. We will need him to.

That’s all I have time for tonight - sorry it is so late! I will be writing a regular section every Thursday here, so stay tuned. Here’s hoping for a good win against managerless Bolton at the weekend to get the attention back on football, and pick up where we left off before the international break. Have a good one.