Arsenal.com Q&A with Danny Fiszman

Following the sale of 5,000 of his shares to Stan Kroenke, Arsenal Director Danny Fiszman has given the following interview to Arsenal.com:

Arsenal.com: Danny, it has just been announced by the Club that you have sold a significant number of your shares to Stan Kroenke. Why have you decided to do this?

Danny Fiszman: I strongly believe that Stan Kroenke has an important role to play in the future of Arsenal Football Club. He has already brought considerable knowledge and experience to the Board, and I have no doubt that he will continue to be an asset to the Club. While I thought long and hard about selling any shares, I believe that Stan’s increased holding is a positive development for Arsenal Football Club.

Arsenal.com: Have you sold your shares as a result of the current financial situation. Are you feeling the effects of the credit crunch?

Danny Fiszman: Luckily I have not been greatly affected by the credit crunch. As I mentioned, I believe that Stan’s increased holding is a positive development for the Club.

Arsenal.com: You have stated in previous interviews that you have no intentions of selling your shares in the Club. However, is this sale to Stan Kroenke an indication that you have changed your views and you are going to sell-out completely?

Danny Fiszman: I have no current intention to sell any more of my shares in the Club. This sale to Stan was a one-off sale. I certainly intend to continue as a long-term substantial shareholder.

Arsenal.com: By selling this number of shares, do you think this will have a destabilising influence on the Club's position by selling outside of the agreed lockdown agreement?

Danny Fiszman: Every member of the lockdown agreement has given their blessing for this sale to proceed.

Arsenal.com: To some, it may look like you are losing interest in Arsenal Football Club, now that the Emirates Stadium project has been successfully completed. Is this the case?

Danny Fiszman: That certainly is not the case. Above all, I'm a passionate Arsenal supporter and have been all my life. I attend the majority of our home and away matches and my love for the Club has always been and will continue to be a matter of the heart. I am present at all Board meetings and very much enjoy my involvement in the Club.

During the planning and construction of Emirates Stadium, I devoted a significant amount of time to the Club and am extremely proud of our achievements in producing a world-class stadium on time and within budget. Although the stadium has now been successfully completed, a great deal of my time is still devoted to the Club and that's how I intend to continue for the foreseeable future.

Arsenal.com: Going back to the reason for selling your shares, do you feel that Arsenal is going to be significantly impacted by the credit crunch and this is the reason that you are selling your shares now to pre-empt the price plummeting?

Danny Fiszman: No, not at all. Although the current economic environment is proving difficult for many organisations, the Club still managed to report healthy half-year financial figures in February. We have a sound, successful business model. We have long-term sponsorships, an improved TV deal and a healthy demand for tickets.

Arsenal.com: Will this affect the running of the Club?

Danny Fiszman: The day-to-day running of Arsenal Football Club will not change whatsoever as a result of this sale of shares to Stan Kroenke.

Arsenal.com: Do you have a reassuring message for the fans?

Danny Fiszman: I would like to stress that I will remain a long-term major shareholder in the Club and I am retaining the majority of my investment. I am totally committed as a fan, director and shareholder to Arsenal and I believe that Stan Kroenke's greater involvement will be in the best interests of everyone involved in the Club.

These are exciting times at Arsenal. We have a great young squad, a fantastic manager and a world-class stadium. More specifically, this season is coming to an exciting finish, and it's great that we are challenging for silverware in the Champions League and FA Cup. We have put in some fantastic performances of late and I hope we can continue that into the closing stages of the season. As a Board, we are fully supportive of the football philosophy Arsène has created and nurtured. We are totally convinced that this young squad - that plays exciting, creative football - will bring us continued success in the future.

I am proud to have such an active role in Arsenal Football Club and I intend that to be the case for a long time to come.

[Monday, March 30, 2009]

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