English soccer club Arsenal announces record profits of $56 million while debt falls

October 4th, 2009 Kroenke backed by MLS boss for buyout of ArsenalLONDON — MLS commissioner Don Garber says Stan Kroenke would be a positive addition for Arsenal if the American businessman completes his buyout of the Premier League club. Kroenke, who owns the Colorado Rapids, increased his stake in the Gunners to 28.7 percent last week, 1.2 percent short of the threshold that instigates a mandatory offer for the remaining shares.

September 30th, 2009 Saudi eyes 50 percent stake in Liverpool clubCAIRO — A Saudi prince wants to buy half of the debt-saddled football club Liverpool, in a deal worth up to $560 million that would mark the latest buy-in by Gulf investors in an English Premier League team. Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud — who chairs Saudi holding company FAMA Group and the F6 sports investment firm — was quoted by the Saudi Al-Riyadh newspaper on Sunday as saying that "we are seeking, at present, to own a 50 percent stake in the club." "The value of the transaction, which is nearing resolution, will be between 200 million pounds ($320 million) and 350 million pounds ($560 million)," al-Saud was quoted as saying.

September 29th, 2009 LONDON - Gunners boss Arsene Wenger does not want to buy new players despite being handed over a 50 million pound transfer fund. The Arsenal manager has risked upsetting fans by insisting he wants to nurture his promising youngsters and develop homegrown talent rather than buying established talent, reports The Mirror.

September 12th, 2009 LONDON - Arsene Wenger has pleaded with Arsenal fans not to abuse Manu Adebayor. Manchester City's 25 million pounds strike ace faces his old club for the first time at Eastlands today, and Gunners boss Wenger said: "I want all our former players to be respected." "They have done fantastic things for us and they should get our full respect for that," The Sun quoted him, as saying.

September 2nd, 2009 LONDON - Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has said that it will be like a family at war when he lines up against his former team Arsenal in 10 days' time. The Togo striker has started his City career in impressive fashion, scoring three league goals in as many games since arriving from the Gunners in a 25 million pounds deal.

August 25th, 2009 Campbell reunited with Eriksson at Notts CountyNOTTINGHAM, England — Former England star Sol Campbell has signed with the fourth-tier English soccer team Notts County. He signed a five-year-contract Tuesday and will reunite with former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who is the team's director of soccer.

August 11th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger has offered eight million pounds for Bordeaux strike ace Marouane Chamakh. Although Chamakh only has a year left on his contract, a Bordeaux insider said Wenger is in for a nasty shock as the French club is holding out for 10 million pounds.

July 30th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal legend Ian Wright has claimed that the club is considering re-signing Patrick Vieira on a pay-as-you-play deal. Vieira, available on a free transfer from Inter Milan, has already been approached by Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham.

July 28th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal idol Thierry Henry insists the Gunners can still win the Premier League next season - despite another the exodus to Emirates. The club's most prolific striker, however, admits he is talking with his heart rather than his head.

July 25th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal defender Gael Clichy has slammed former teammate Emmanuel Adebayor for leaving the team 'only for the money'. Adebayor had claimed that abusive Arsenal fans forced him into a 25 million pound move to Manchester City.

July 24th, 2009 LONDON - Arsenal has said that they are ready to challenge the Tottenham Spurs in the race to claim Real Madrid and Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The Dutchman, 26, has turned down Stuttgart in favour of a move to the English Premier League, reports The Sun.

July 23rd, 2009 LONDON - The U.S.-based Glazer family, which owns Manchester United has denied rumors of transfer being kept from Alex Ferguson, but has acknowledged that it is spending 43.3 million pounds a year to service the club's massive debt. The Old Trafford giants have gone from being one of the richest clubs in football to the most indebted following the takeover by the Glazer family four years ago, reports The Sun.

July 10th, 2009 Kroenke increases Arsenal stake to 28.58 percentLONDON — American businessman Stan Kroenke has increased his stake in Arsenal. The 61-year-old director spent $2.21 million to raise his holding to 28.58 percent from 28.3.

June 4th, 2009 KOLKATA - Sixteen talented youngsters will get a chance to attend a training camp at English Premier League side Arsenal's facility in Britain. The 16 will be chosen from among 32 budding footballers from across the country now undergoing training here under the supervision of Arsenal coaches - Paul Shipwright and Kurt Maginley.

May 29th, 2009 English-only 'Britain' soccer team for OlympicsLONDON — A soccer team of only English players is set to represent Britain at the 2012 London Olympics. The four "home nations" — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — sent a joint letter to world governing body FIFA on Friday saying they had agreed that an English team could represent Britain in both the men's and women's tournaments.