By Daily Sports on July 16, 2019
Stan Kroenke has been criticised by Arsenal supporters’ groups in a letter that labels the American billionaire “passive” and “absent” and using the club as an “investment vehicle”.
A two-page letter, signed by several major supporters’ groups and bloggers, claims that “Arsenal is at a crossroads. Things need to change” as well as describing Emirates Stadium as a “soulless place” on matchdays.
It reads: “As Arsenal fans we have watched with frustration as the team’s football performances have declined over the past decade. When Stan Kroenke began buying Arsenal shares the club had just competed in a first Champions League final. Twelve years on Arsenal are about to play in the Europa League for the third year running.
“Off the pitch fans have never felt more marginalised, less listened to or valued. This was sadly illustrated when Stan Kroenke forcibly bought out the last remaining supporter-shareholders without even a word of appreciation for their custodianship role in the club.
“It feels as though Arsenal is at a crossroads. Things need to change. What all of us as signatories to this statement want to see is meaningful action by Stan Kroenke to reinvigorate our football club.”
Kroenke first invested in Arsenal in 2007 and went on to become majority shareholder in 2011.
Arsenal have not won the Premier League since 2004 and the 2019-20 season will be their third in a row without Champions League football.
Their only signing so far this summer is Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli, while Aaron Ramsey has left for Juventus and captain Laurent Koscielny is on strike.
The letter continues: “Arsenal have invested money in recent years but their approach to both buying players and paying wages looks uncoordinated and appears to lack strategy.
“There has also been a lot of turnover in the senior football personnel. A strong board would be proactively managing this.
“On a matchday the Emirates Stadium can be a soulless place. The atmosphere is poor and there are thousands of empty seats blighting almost every game.” (ESPN)
•Photo shows Arsenal fans
Source Daily Sports
Posted July 16, 2019
You may also like...
BREAKING: Manchester United confirm Jose Mourinho as new...
Matic Happy To Secure Coaching Licence
AFCON 2025 bid: CAF team inspects Nigeria’s stadia...
Wijnaldum ‘Not Completely Happy’ With PSG Deal
Mourinho Eyes Super Eagles Sensation Osimhen
AC Milan Step Up Pursuit Of Ziyech
JOF U-13 football tournament ends May 12
Fredrick: Who is Brentford’s new man?
‘Players’ self-belief secret of Rangers success’
How Enyimba, fans celebrated Finidi’s Eagles appointment
Boniface, Tella strike fear in De Rossi
They smeared my name over Eagles job – Amuneke
How Finidi beat Amuneke, others to Eagles coaching job
Brentford signs Nigerian U-20 sensation Benjamin Frederick from Moses Simon’s Kaduna academy
SWAN President Says NEC Not Aware Of Full Coucil Meeting In Kano
The challenges before Eagles coach Finidi
Dessers hits back at critics
Hearn talks up Joshua, Wilder fight
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (53,690 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,692 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,847 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,521 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (42,280 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (42,164 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (42,064 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,536 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,568 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,563 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,933 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,498 views)