Arsenal explains what 25% blocking stake means?

There has been much media comment over Red & White Holdings’ recent share purchases and their intention to acquire over 25% of the Arsenal Football Club or a 'blocking stake' as it has been referred to.
First and most importantly, a 25% holding would have no impact on the day to day running of the Club, on buying and selling players or any contractual or sponsorship agreements.
There are some important decisions affecting the business that need shareholder approval, however the majority of these only require a simple majority of shareholders to vote in favour. These decisions, which are known Ordinary Resolutions, include the appointment of directors; the payment of dividends, approval of the accounts etc.
There are some unusual decisions which require the approval of 75% of shareholders. These are very rare and are known as Special Resolutions and include winding up the company or changing its name.
In the recent history of Arsenal there have only been two occasions when we have had to put Special Resolutions to our shareholders. These were both changes that were required to finance Emirates Stadium.
In conclusion, a 25% shareholder would therefore have no material influence on how the Club is run on a day to day basis.
The Club would also like to confirm the details of the 'lock down' agreement currently in place between our Board of Directors.
At the Club's AGM last October, the Board announced that they are all long-term shareholders and, to strengthen the position, they entered into a new lock down agreement.
Under the agreement, the Board members agreed not to dispose of any of their interests in the Club before 18 April 2009, other than to certain permitted persons such as close family. After that date, for the remainder of the term of the agreement, they can only sell their shares to another person if the other parties to the agreement do not wish to buy them. The agreement is for five years (until 18 October 2012), although it can be terminated early by the parties on its third anniversary (18 October 2010).

We will be there for Eduardo!

While Eduardo is still in their thoughts, Arsenal’s focus is remains very much on the job in hand, according to Theo Walcott

The youngster revealed that the best way the team can overcome the adversity of last weekend is to take all three points when Aston Villa visit Emirates Stadium this Saturday. Walcott also told of the feeling within the squad in the days that followed the Croatian striker’s horrific injury.

“Of course Eduardo has been on our minds,” Walcott told“It was a quiet coach ride home and felt just like a loss in truth.

“We had a couple of days off and then actually went bowling to keep our team-spirit up. A couple of lads went to see him yesterday and reported back to the rest of us.

“But we have tried to forget about it in a way and concentrate on Saturday.

“We don’t all want to rush there and then gradually stop. It will be more difficult for him in later months so we want to be there for him the whole time he is out.”

Eduardo’s absence, coupled with Robin van Persie’s lack of fitness leaves the door wide open for someone to seize a role up front. After grabbing his first Premier League goals at Birmingham, Walcott believes he is the man to do it.

“I feel upbeat, I feel confident,” he continued. “The goals helped and they gave me a boost so hopefully I can take that into Saturday.

“It was nice to get a poacher's goal. My agents have told me I need more of those. Then the second was more about the kind of player I am. Left-foot too, which is something people have questioned me about.

“Now I just have to improve with every game and time will tell [if I can fill the striker’s role]. After all, the boss picks the team so when I do play I will just do my best.”

Eduardo injury club statement

Arsenal can confirm that following the incident during Saturday’s match at Birmingham City, which finished draw 2-2, Eduardo has fractured his left fibula and sustained an open dislocation of his ankle joint in the same leg.

He was immediately taken to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham where he underwent surgery on Saturday evening. The operation was successful and Eduardo was transferred to a London-based hospital on Sunday afternoon.

Earlier today (Monday 25th February), the Orthopaedic surgeon and Arsenal medical staff assessed the extent of the damage and possible time scale for a full recovery.

All being well, Eduardo will have his leg in plaster and using crutches for the next six to eight weeks. After that time, partial weight-bearing exercises will be scheduled into a slow rehabilitation process.

It is hoped that Eduardo will be running again in six months time and making a full recovery after nine months.

Eduardo will be released from hospital in a few days.

The Arsenal medical team would like to take this opportunity to thank Birmingham City for their assistance on the day as well as the surgical and ward staff on S2 at Selly Oak Hospital for their expert medical care.

In addition, and on behalf of Eduardo, the Club would like to thank everyone for their many touching messages of support.

Fabregas: we can cope with AC Milan

Arsenal didn't make the result, that they want, but Cesc Fabregas believes the team made a good performance and have chances in the second leg at San Siro after two weeks. Arsène Wenger's side bossed the second half of the Champions League Knockout Round tie at Emirates Stadium but could not make it count. Now Arsenal will prepare for the weekend away game in Premier League against Birmingham, which is very important for the title race.

Arsenal and AC Milan finishe 0-0!

In the first leg of knock out of the Champions League between the teams of Arsenal and AC Milan finished draw 0-0, the gunners had more attempts for goal but didn't realized them, the most dangerous was in the last second of the match, when Emmanuel Adebayor hit the bar with head.
Mathieu Flamini believes that Arsenal are well-equipped to progress and insists that they have plenty of know-how themselves.

Fabregas - Milan midfield can "kill us in a minute"

Cesc Fabregas thinks that if you are not careful with Milan's midfield, they "can kill you in a minute". The 20-year-old admits he is in admiration of some of the players he will come up against on Wednesday night when the Champions League holders visit Emirates Stadium. This is game between young and old players, the Italians are the Veterans.
Another interesting thing is that Arsene Wenger have a solid record against Italians team in Europeans competitions, but this match against AC Milan is the ultimate test. He lost only three games from twelve played, he has defeated teams like Juventus, Inter, Roma.

Flamini controls the tempo of our game

From the beginning of the season Mathieu Flamini gained a new nickname among his teammates, they call him Flattuso. He has established as enforcer in Arsenal midfield and win the label of leading exponent like Gennaro Gattuso, who plays for AC Milan. The Italian team will arrive on Wednesday at Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in first leg in the Champions League knockout round. On the pitch could meet each other Flattuso and Gattuso.

We need to be cautious over Kaka!

For Arsene Wenger the most danger player in AC Milan is the Brazilian midfielder Kaka. Blessed with pace, vision and a penchant for the spectacular, Kaka is capable of changing a game in a flash. A fact Manchester United, Liverpool and Celtic found out to their cost in last season’s premier European competition. The World Player of the Year has overcome injury in time for Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Emirates Stadium — a place Kaka has fond memories of. In his first appearance at the Gunners home, in September 2006, the 25 year-old scored a wonderful solo goal in Brazil’s 3-0 victory against Argentina.

We will be even stronger against AC Milan

Gilberto Silva has urged his team-mates to bounce back against Milan, like his manager he took a part in the game against Man utd and he is very disappointed, because the red devils was with classes over the Arsenal, who didn't show his potential. However the priorities this season for all arsenal's players are Premier league and Champion league. So, according to Gilberto Silva, any lethargy and despondency must be shaken off before AC Milan visit Emirates Stadium on Wednesday in the last 16 of the latter competition.
Meanwhile last week there are speculations about Wenger's future in Arsenal, the medias wrote that the Frenchman will replace Frank Rijkaard in Barcelona this summer. Arsene Wenger said: "It's not the first time (there has been speculation), but I'm happy where I am. I have no intention of moving and I want to carry on."

Man utd defeat Arsenal

Man utd defeat Arsenal in 5th round of FA Cup with 4-0('16 Rooney, '20, '74 Fletcher, '38 Nani). Arsenal only have chances to win the Premier League and Champion league after their knock out from the both English cups. This lose was very bad for the Arsenal because there is in the middle of the week very important match for Champion league against AC Milan at Emirates stadium. The match against Man utd was solved only for 20 minutes, the reds leaded with 3-0 and after the half time break Emmanuel Eboue was sent off and that was all for the gunners hopes to make anything else in this game.

Wenger doesn't know when will retire

Arsene Wenger said the he will retire from his carer when he lose his desire for win. The 58 years old Frenchman said on Fridays press conference that he wants to stay in Arsenal London for another 20 years. We all hope that Arsene Wenger will stay at the club as long as he can, because he prove everyday that he is one of the best managers all over the world.

Old Trafford tie will not lack intensity

Abou Diaby expects that team of Arsenal and Manchester united will give everything to qualify for the next FA cup round, the match will be played on Saturday at Old Trafford in Manchester. The French midfielder believes is very important for the psychological advantage, because the two teams will go head to head at the same venue in April. They also have important matches in Champion league, but arsenal's players said that for them the English Premier league title is most important at all.

Arsenal stay on top with last win

Arsenal London won yesterday with 2-0('4 Senedros, '90 Adebayor) over strong team of Blackbubrn Rovers and kept the first place in Premiere league with 5 points difference from the second one Man utd. Phillipe Senderos scored the first goal after one corner kick, Eduardo put the ball on defender's head. After the goal Blackburn made some dangerous situations front of the Arsenal goal. Alex Hleb hit the post with power shoot in second half, and in the last minute Hleb passed to Emmanuel Adebayor and he scored down in the left corner. Next match is on Saturday and Arsenal will face Man utd for FA Cup at Old Trafford.

Egypt win the African Cup of Nations

Mohamed Aboutrika scored the only one goal in this final 13 minutes before the end, and Egypt win with 1-0 the national team of Cameroon. The Pharaohs are the first side successfully defendet the title twice, they also scooped a record sixth African cup of Nations title after a hard-fought victory over Cameroon. The young gunner Alex Song played only 15 minutes and has forced to go out from a knee injury. It was a disappointing end to a spectacular month for the him.

Toure could play against blackburn

Arsene Wenger may try to call Kolo Toure from Africa for today game with Blackburn at Emirates stadium. Eleven players can't play in this match: Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue are in Africa on international duty. Tomas Rosicky, Denilson, Mathieu Flamini, Abou Diaby, Phillipe Senderos, Johan Djourou, Robin van Persie all they have different kind of injuries, Manuel Almunia is sick. If Toure don't come back for this game, as central defender can play Gilberto Silva or Justin Hoyte .

Wenger's opinion about international round

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger opinion about abroad games, which will be played after a couple of seasons will be the result of football's inevitable move towards globalisation. He is not surprised that plans were being considered to play a round of top-flight games overseas in a few season's time. It is an interesting view for Wenger to take given that he has famously refused major money to take his side on promotional pre-season tours.

International round for Premier clubs

Today the Premier league clubs have agreed over one weekend in January season 2010/11 one round to be played around the world. This ‘international round’ will be in addition to the traditional 38 home and away matches each of the 20 Premier League Clubs currently play. The idea is to populate English football all over the world and the people, who can't go to England and watch their favourites teams live have this opportunity to make it abroad.

Tragedy day in 1958!

The world remember 6 of February in 1958 with the tragedy in Munich, where 23 people found theirs death. This is happened after the European Cup final played between Manchester United and Red Star Belgrade, when the team of Red Devils is flighted back to England and were refueling in Munich, where had died in Airplane accident 8 players of Man utd and nine journalists. Mat Busby the manager of the team survived and spent 3 months in hospital. The players also is known as "Busby Babes". The player of the left picture is one of a world's great players, he was only 21 years old, he scored a goal of this final match for him. His name is Duncan Edwards. Arsenal Football Club would like to extend their sympathies to all those affected by those tragic events 50 years ago. This tragedy will never be forgotten, because is one of the darkest days in football.

Capello visit Wenger?

The new England coach Fabio Capello has visited his college Arsene Wenger few weeks ago, the Italian coach cames to Arsenal's training ground to talk with Arsene about the situation in English football. They discuss the type of manager he will be, his omission of David Beckham, how psychologicaly important is the first game and the timing of this international break. Today is first game for Fabio Capello as England's manager, his team will face Switzerland in friendly game at Wembley.

Arsenal's African players chase glory in Ghana

Arsenal have three players represented it on African Cup of nations. Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue play for favourites in Ghana the team of Ivory Coast. The third Arsenal player is Alexander Song, who plays for the last qualified team Cameroon. We wish them a lot of success and to come back healthy.

One more 30 points to win the title?

Arsene Wenger thinks that Arsenal needs about 30 points to win the title. In this moment After the win with 3-1 over Manchester city the Gunners have 60 points. There are only 13 games until end of the season, and the target is 10 of them to win. Arsenal have to play away with Man utd and Chelsea, with Liverpool will play at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal back on top

With two goals scored by Adebayor and one by Eduardo Arsenal defeat Manchester City with 3-1(Fernandes '28, Adebayor '9, '88, Eduardo '26). The Gunners returned back on top of the Premiere League with two points front of Man utd. The red devils finished 1-1 with Tottenham on White Hart Lane. Chelsea made the same result as guest of Portsmouth. Next game Arsenal will play against Blackburn at Emirates Stadium, everyone hopes that the winning series will continue.