Dangote reveals that sacking Wenger will be one of the first things he does once he purchases Arsenal

ALHAJI Aliko Dangote has revealed that if he succeeds with his long-term ambition of buying Arsenal football club the first thing he will do on becoming chairman will be to sack long-term manager Arsene Wenger.

Africa's richest man, Alhaji Dangote, 60, is valued at $13bn and is a big Gunners fan, who has repeated tried to purchase a majority stake in the English Premiership side. He plans to make an offer to Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke for his stake in the club once the construction of a new oil refinery in Lagos, Nigeria, is completed.

"The first thing I would change is the coach. He has done a good job but someone else should also try his luck,” Alhaji Dangote said.

Mr Wenger has been boss at Arsenal for 21 years and is the longest-serving manager of any side in Europe. Fan protests against his reign rumbled on throughout last season but the Frenchman agreed a two-year contract extension in May.

Mr Kroenke’s fellow Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov had a £1bn takeover offer for the club turned down earlier this year. However, Alhaji Dangote believes his power of persuasion can work on the billionaire shareholders.

Alhaji Dangote added: “If they get the right offer, I’m sure they would walk away. Someone will give them an offer that will make them seriously consider walking away and when we finish the refinery, I think we will be in a position to do that.

“It’s a great team, well-run but it could be run better, so I will be there. I will wait, so even if things change I will take it.”

Last September, Alhaji Dangote, who counts former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein as a good friend, revealed that he has a four-year time frame on his plan to complete the takeover of the club. At the time, he said he had more challenging headwinds and once he gets those out the way he will focus on Arsenal.