Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith has launched a scathing attack on the current Arsenal hierarchy claiming the entire board should be sacked.
Bracewell-Smith was axed from the board in acrimonious circumstances in December 2009 and has since refused to air her grievances.
The sale of her 15.9 per cent stake to Stan Kroenke in April ended a family association with the Gunners dating back to the 1940s and helped enable the American businessman to become the majority shareholder.
Former vice-chairman David Dein enjoyed a close working relationship with manager Arsene Wenger but departed the club after selling his shares to Alisher Usmanov's Red & White Holdings.
Dein and director Danny Fiszman, whose death from throat cancer earlier this year triggered Kroenke's decision to launch a mandatory takeover offer, were thought to be at loggerheads over the future direction of the club.
Fiszman, a keen supporter of Kroenke, is believed to have been resentful of Dein's high profile as he worked on player transfers and the animosity split the boardroom for years until Dein left the club in August 2007.
"I agree that current board should all go," Bracewell-Smith said on Twitter. "They are passe. Have nothing more to give to the club at all."
The board comprises chairman Peter Hill-Wood - who sacked Bracewell-Smith - chief executive Ivan Gazidis, directors Ken Friar, Sir Chips Keswick, Lord Harris of Peckham and Kroenke; Usmanov does not presently have a seat on the board.
Asked why she was sacked from the board, she gave two separate answers. "It was war at AFC between Dein and [Danny Fiszman]. I just happened to get caught in the cross fire," she said before later adding, "[They] couldn't handle a woman with power on the board. Felt insecure. #male chauvinism."
Read More
Having initially been critical of Dein's role at the club, Bracewell-Smith backtracked on her earlier claims that he was "the root cause of all the troubles at AFC". She tweeted today: "I stand corrected, Dein loves the club and although sometimes personalities fall out his contribution at Arsenal has been immense."
Bracewell-Smith's criticism comes at a tough time for the Arsenal hierarchy as Gazidis continues to negotiate with Barcelona over the sale of captain Cesc Fabregas. The 24-year-old is expected to leave the club and sources close to the deal are confident personal terms will not be a problem.
Sports agency Kentaro is negotiating the image rights with Barca and the main stumbling block remains the two clubs agreeing a fee. Arsenal appear increasingly resigned to losing Fabregas and while they continue to demand £45m, it now appears they may accept £40m after rejecting Barca's initial bid of £30m.
Fabregas is on holiday and is thought to be keen to have his future resolved before Arsenal return to pre-season training on July 5.
The World Cup winner is due to make a public appearance in Tordera tomorrow and could make a public declaration on the situation.
