• Premier League

Kroenke under fire over Van Persie

ESPN staff
July 5, 2012
Arsenal are struggling to hold on to Robin van Persie © PA Photos
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Arsenal's second-biggest shareholders have written an open letter to owner Stan Kroenke expressing their concern about how the American is running the club in the wake of Robin van Persie's declaration he will not be signing a new contract at Emirates Stadium.

Alisher Usmanov and Farhad Moshiri, who own just under 30% of Arsenal through investment company Red & White, have outlined "deep reservations" about the Gunners' strategy, after star striker Van Persie confirmed he does not see his long-term future with the club.

Van Persie said in a statement on Wednesday he "disagrees" with the current direction of the side under manager Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis, with the North London team without a trophy since 2005.

On Thursday, a letter was released on behalf of Usmanov and Moshiri, warning "we are faced with losing our true marquee player" because we cannot "give confidence that we can win trophies," and asking "where are the safeguards to ensure that this doesn't happen again and again?"

They also complained that a "tight" financial regime is leading to Wenger "selling his best players and having to continue to find cheaper replacements."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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