Usmanov: Arsenal are one man away from conquering Europe and the Premier League
Arsenal finished third in the Premier League last season
ARSENAL are weak in just one position heading into the new season, says shareholder Alisher Usmanov.
 
The Gunners have so far refused to part with big money in the transfer market this summer, with £10million goalkeeper Petr Cech their sole major signing.
They are expected to make bids for a number of players before the deadline shuts on 1 September, with reports linking them to a number of strikers.
And Usmanov believes one more addition to the team would be enough to mount a serious challenge for honours this term.
 
"If there aren't (any) severe injuries, (manager Arsene Wenger) has got a great chance to compete with teams like Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City," Usmanov told CNN.
"The championship will be decided between these four teams.
"With the team that Arsene has put together, except for one position, I think it's a club that's ready to successfully fight for European cups."
 
Arsenal have parted with more than £100m on new players over the past three summers.
Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil's arrivals have come to signify a new are of spending under Wenger after Arsenal went a decade without winning a trophy.
 
And Usmanov puts this solely down to paying for the Emirates Stadium.
"Arsene had a very, very difficult position when club shareholders didn't want to put their money into constructing the new stadium, and because of this he lost five years, maybe the best of his career, without a trophy. In reality, 10 years," Usmanov said.
"If I had the right, I would keep Arsene until he wants because until he cannot perform his activity as a manager, it is a gift for any club to have a coach like Arsene Wenger."
Arsenal finished third in the league last season, behind champions Chelsea and second-place City.
United, meanwhile, have spent big this summer in effort to challenge the top three for trophies, with boss Louis van Gaal reportedly keen to add further depth to his squad.

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