Arsenal major shareholder Alisher Usmanov has launched a new attack on the board. The Gunners have not won any silverware since 2005 and losing stars Alex Song and Robin Van Persie this summer was a major blow to their hopes.

Usmanov, who owns just under 30 per cent of the club through Red and White Holdings, praised manager Arsene Wenger for maintaining an attractive side but insisted this will not be enough.

Uzbeck-born Usmanov said: "Nobody can convince fans that the club is doing fine if for the past three or four years the club has been selling its best players.

"It doesn't matter who our extremely talented coach, Arsene Wenger, buys to plug these holes if we want to win trophies."

But businessman Usmanov insists he stands by Wenger.

He said: "I'm an absolute fan of Arsene Wenger. I support him and I'm confident in him. We think he's a hero.

"Despite changes in the playing line-up, he keeps the variations of the same beautiful game."