London, Oct 24 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has warned the club's major shareholder, Stan Kroenke, not to mess with the team.

The Yank, dubbed Silent Stan after refusing to answer any questions at the annual general meeting this week, is on the verge of a takeover bid after increasing his stake in Arsenal to 28.9 per cent.

Kroenke is within touching distance of the 29.9 per cent, which would trigger an automatic takeover offer under stock market rules.

Wenger has so far refused to be drawn into the boardroom battle between Kroenke, who was given a place on the board last year, and second-biggest shareholder Alisher Usmanov, The Sun reports.

Yet, the manager made it clear that he would have no problem with Kroenke if the American did not interfere with the way he runs the football side of the club.

"The only important thing is the club is run properly in every department. The most important department in any football club is what is happening on the pitch. As long as whoever owns the club doesn't interfere with what we do on the pitch, then for me it's OK," Wenger said.

"I spoke to Stan Kroenke at the club's AGM. He's really interested in sport because he has two or three clubs in the States. He's interested in sport, he's interested in football but I do not ask him specifically why he invests at Arsenal. It's not my problem," he added.

Kroenke's imminent takeover attempt is the worst kept secret in town but the American has remained tight-lipped about his plans. (ANI)