Arsenal fans planning to hold mass protest outside Emirates before Everton clash against hated owner Stan Kroenke
ARSENAL fans are set to call for Stan Kroenke’s departure from the club at an Emirates Stadium protest on Friday night. Before the Gunners’ game with Everton, a number of supporters are expected to express their outrage at the European Super League and general running of the club. American billionaire Kroenke, 73, joined the board […]
ARSENAL fans are set to call for Stan Kroenke’s departure from the club at an Emirates Stadium protest on Friday night.
Before the Gunners’ game with Everton, a number of supporters are expected to express their outrage at the European Super League and general running of the club.
American billionaire Kroenke, 73, joined the board of the Premier League outfit in 2008 and became majority shareholder three years later.
In that time the side have won four FA Cups but slipped out of title contention, and are set to miss out on a top-four finish for the fifth year in a row.
Already-brewing fan discontent exploded during the week as ninth-placed Arsenal signed up to the European Super League plot.
Protests across all six of the English sides committed to the project led to its collapse and the Gunners’ board was forced to apologise.
However, supporters remain determined to see Kroenke and son Josh, a director at Emirates Stadium, leave North London.
The hashtag #KroenkeOut has been adopted by many Gooners online ahead of Friday’s protest at the ground.
Rumours have even emerged on social media that former player Jack Wilshere, now with Bournemouth, will turn up to show his solidarity with angry fans.
Speaking to a supporters’ forum on Thursday night, Josh Kroenke admitted the ESL was a major error but insisted his family will not sell up.
I might be met with scepticism but over time we hope to show fans that we are capable of taking the club forward.
Josh Kroenke
He stated: “We were put in a very difficult position by forces outside of the club and we got it wrong.
“All of our trust was shredded this week, I understand that, but I still believe that we are fit to carry on in our positions as custodians of Arsenal.
“I might be met with scepticism but over time I hope to establish some sort of relationship with our supporter groups and show them that we are capable of taking the club forward.
“When are we going to sell? I am not willing to answer that question because we have no intention of selling.”
Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham reportedly rang around the other 14 Premier League clubs to say sorry for the ESL debacle.
Following a meeting with players to explain the club’s position, he extended his apologies to the fans.
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Venkatesham said: “Arsenal were categorically not the authors or drivers of this Super League proposal but that does not excuse what happened.
“What was clear to us was the train was leaving the station. The project was about to be launched with some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
“Due to concerns about us being left behind, we made the decision to join. But it became immediately apparent that we made not only a bad decision but a terrible one.
“We immediately got out as quickly as we possibly could and now we need to say sorry to lots of people.”
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