Alisher Usmanov
Usmanov has pledged to increase his stake in Arsenal but his intentions remain dubious.

Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov wants to increase his 30% stake in the north London club despite admitting his commitment to funding Russian sport is greater than his desire to subsidise the Premier League side.

Usmanov has continually put majority shareholder Stan Kroenke under pressure for failing to invest significantly in the Gunners squad, and though the club broke their transfer record to sign Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid last summer, the jury remains out on any future deals.

While responding in a blog on Bloomberg.com to lowered expectations of the Russian national team at the upcoming World Cup, Usmanov says his investment in domestic sport is greater than that which he gives Arsenal but confesses his desire to build on his stake in the club.

"Many people ask me why I bought my stake in Arsenal, rather than spending the money on Russian football," he said.

"The fact is, I invest millions in Russian sport each year -- an amount far in excess of my Arsenal investment.

"But I also think it's worth pointing out that the English Premier League is a highly organised sports business and Arsenal is, first and foremost, a business investment for me.

"It is one of the leading clubs in terms of how its commercial operations are managed, and I am absolutely convinced it will be a successful investment.

"I am fine with the size of the stake I have in Arsenal now, but I'm always ready to increase it. One other thing: the taxes that I will pay on my profits from this venture will be paid in Russia, thereby potentially finding their way back to Russian football."

Kroenke has a 66.83% stake in Arsenal, while the remaining shares are owned by members of the official supporters club.

With Usmanov having continually demanded for added investment in Arsenal from Kroenke, his declaration that his plans to expand his control of the club will not be followed by an increase in his financial commitment will likely be met with an angry response from Gunners fans.

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