Arsenal’s second largest shareholder Alisher Usmanov has told Arsene Wenger to start learning from his mistakes and claims the Gunners need to strengthen the entire team to compete with the best in Europe.

The Russian billionaire, who owns 30 per cent of the club, was keen to emphasise his admiration for Wenger but believes the Frenchman is letting his principles stand in the way of Arsenal’s success. 

The Gunners have lifted just one trophy in nine-and-a-half years and a 2-0 defeat at home to Manchester United on Saturday marked the team’s worst start to a season since 1982.

“Arsene Wenger is one of the greatest coaches, not just of European, but of world football. But we have a Russian proverb which goes, ‘Even an old lady can have a roof falling on her,” Usmanov told CNBC. 

“Everybody makes mistakes. He can make mistakes and I know as you age it is more difficult, more challenging to accept one’s mistakes. No genius can retain the same level of genius if they do not acknowledge mistakes.”

Usmanov insists that money is available to add more quality to the squad and Wenger must not allow his principles to translate into “lost possibilities”.

“My opinion – and I tell it openly – we need to strengthen every position to play on the level of such teams as Chelsea and Manchester City, in Europe like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and other clubs.”