The Uzbeki is close to owning 30 per cent of the club, a
barrier that is significant as it would allow him access to the
club's accounts.
But with majority shareholder Stan Kroenke insisting he does not
want outside intervention, Gazidis has told Usmanov that the club
will not accept his offer of financial assistance – despite the
latter's offer to fund a substantial spending spree by Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger.
“I don't think for Mr Usmanov and anyone else out there that we
should pump money into the football club,” he said. “We don't think
that is healthy or for the good of the game.
“When I arrived three-and-half years ago there had been a lot of
changes on the board and some degree of conflict. Since then we
have worked hard to ensure the board is unified and has a common
purpose.
“In terms of any further additions to the board it is important
we don't disturb that unity and don't create conflict.
“Ultimately that is a board decision but that will be the
critical issue – are we all aligned and facing in the same
direction.”
But Gazidis has admitted that Arsenal's wage structure – where
all first-team stars are paid a relatively similar amount – could
change in the future.
He added: “Arsenal's squad been based around a flatter salary
structure, and we are talking about having a relatively big squad
with relatively few super-stars.
“That is part of the team ethos Arsene Wenger develops – that it
is about the interaction between players, not the super-star. That
carries on into our wage structure.
“We have to make adjustments for the top talent as they are
earning a lot of money and I don't think that will slow down –
under Financial Fair Play I think they will earn more and more.
“We have to adjust our model but that won't happen instantly. It
takes time – three to four years – but we are conscious of
that.”