Arsene Wenger hits back at Alisher Usmanov attack

Uzbek tycoon Usmanov, who owns 30 per cent of the club, has been sidelined by majority shareholder Stan Kroenke.

He fired another shot in his war with Kroenke when he told CNBC Wenger did "not have enough support" when it came to transfers and retaining players.

But Wenger, who reportedly backed Kroenke's decision to deny Usmanov a seat on the board, insisted: "I believe I have always had the support from the board and am very grateful for that.

"We have worked over the years in respecting in what we did, which is to always work within our financial resources."

The Arsenal boss has faced growing calls to spend big on his misfiring side.

But he insisted: "If we can add one or two exceptional players, we will do it. What we do not want to do is add players just because people put us under pressure."

Wenger was handed a boost yesterday when youngsters Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs, Carl Jenkinson and Aaron Ramsey all signed long-term deals.