Usmanov ups Arsenal stake

Red & White Holdings Limited - which is jointly owned by the Usbek oil magnate and Farhad Moshiri - made the brief announcement but did not give any details as to the additional stock acquired.

American Stan Kroenke remains the largest individual shareholder in the Barclays Premier League club with 29.9 per cent.

Under the strict financial rules of the City, were any party to cross the 29.99 per cent takeover threshold they he would be obliged to make a formal offer for the remainder of the shares.

The news Usmanov - who unlike Kroenke does not yet have a seat on the Arsenal board - has continued his steady accumulation will add further speculation that the Gunners, currently the only one of the 'big five' not in foreign ownership, are set for more changes behind the scenes.

However, during April 2010, the Red & White group released a statement maintaining that a full-blown offer was not on their agenda and they remained "a committed long-term investor in Arsenal".

Former director Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith put her family's 15.9 per cent stake up for sale in April and these latest dealings could be the result of some minor tradings. Non-executive director Danny Fiszman, who controls 16 per cent of shares, is the club's other major shareholder.