Posted by Tom Mallows and Betfair's View

By Tom Mallows -

Arsenal have often attempted to use innovative ideas to help support the club in its bid for success, with the decision during the Herbert Chapman era to publicise the club by persuading Islington council to name the nearest Underground station after the club one of many examples of the club's creative moves.

Now, with the introduction of the Arsenal Fanshare scheme, pioneered by Arsenal Supporters Trust (AST), a body recognised for their active involvement in the running of the club, Arsenal have yet again led the way in English football.

The new model seeks to establish something that the club's fans, and owners, hold dear - the continuation of a plurality of ownership. In an age that has seen clubs such as Manchester United faced with crippling debts after being taken over by an individual, and the continuing debacle at Liverpool, Arsenal have responded to the wishes of their fans by handing them the opportunity to have a direct say in how the club is run. This should give the fans another boost after the Betfair Football rumour mill Betfair Football rumor mill linked them with the purchase of a top keeper in the shape of Mark Schwarzer.

Although an individual wishing to purchase a share in the club would be required to part with a minimum of £9,500, the Fanshare offer allows members to club together with the AST to own anything ranging from a 1/100 of a share, to investing the full amount for any length of time. This may seem like a tiny fraction of the club, but the AST are confident that 25 per cent of Arsenal could be owned by fans, a share size significant enough to provide a blocking stake in the club.

With the model based on fan-led ownership that is required by law in Germany, many pundits and fans are hoping that Arsenal's Fanshare innovation is successful enough to be exported to other Premier League clubs in the near future.

Meanwhile, Arsenal face Blackpool and Blackburn in their next two games and both the Blackpool and the Blackburn betting Blackburn beting suggest the Gunners should take six points.