Uzbek billionaire Alisher Usmanov has laid the blame for Arsenal’s failure to secure any silverware in the last six seasons squarely at the door of the club’s board.

The 57-year-old, who is not an Arsenal director, even though he owns almost 30 per cent of Arsenal Holdings, believes self-interest among the board members is stymieing the Gunners’ chances of on-field success.

Usmanov said: “If the role of a board member is to oversee a trophyless period, while making significant personal profits and asking fans to pay inflation-busting ticket price increases then, no, I would not want to be on the board.

“If instead it is to try to deliver sustained success, to increase your personal investment in the club, to help develop the commercial position and to ensure the fans have a say in the running of the club then, yes, I think I certainly have something to contribute.”

Usmanov is of the opinion that manager Arsene Wenger needs to be given the financial backing to bring in experienced players.

“There is a widely-held view among most commentators – and one that I agree with – that the club needs to stiffen the defensive spine of the team, with a dominant keeper, strong centre-halves and a powerful defensive midfielder in the mould of Claude Makelele,” he said.