Spotify owner Daniel Ek has opened up on his thoughts for the Premier League next season as the billionaire prepares for a massive revamp of Barcelona's stadium.
The Swedish businessman has previously expressed serious interest in taking over Asenal from Stan Kroenke and made an approach shortly after the European Super League debacle that clouded the view of the current ownership's tenure.
He has since moved on, though, agreeing a massive £235 million ($301m) deal with Spanish giants Barcelona, giving him the naming rights to Nou Camp stadium.
Two years on from that, a time whereby fans were keen to see the back of Kroenke and his Sports and Entertainment empire (KSE), and all talk of the family relinquishing any hold on the Gunners has gone quiet. Kroenke, lead by the rising influence of his son Josh, have overturned the toxic feeling.
Arsenal are now one of the most attractive sides in the world with a youth influx, desirable and popular manager, atmospheric stadium and newfound backroom organisation. With Mikel Arteta and Sporting Director Edu Gaspar now stepping up to impress even more, there is a settled nature at the club.
It has lead to an unexpected title race in north London, the chance to face up with Europe's top dogs again in the Champions League and previously unthought of transfer business.
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Now, with Ek and a takeover no longer at the forefront of peoples' minds, he has come back to serve a prediction up ahead of the eagerly anticipated 2023/24 season warning Kroenke and Arsenal that they may have to deal with a resurgent Liverpool if the correct transfers are made.
Speaking at an event for Spotify and Barcelona, Ek admitted: "Well obviously I will say Arsenal, finishing second - looking really good for next season. So I think it’ll be between Arsenal and City again with Liverpool maybe in fourth, unless there will be some key signings."
The Gunners are looking to make their own big signings with Declan Rice their main priority. Two record bids have been made for the 24-year-old West Ham captain as proof of added investment start to show. With Josh Kroenke now occupying a more senior role at the club as vice-chair and lifelong fan and advisor Tim Lewis also involved heavily, many may have forgotten about Ek's emergence as a true candidate.
He was described by Thierry Henry in 2021 as being deadly serious about a takeover and attending a game with the entrepreneur. "To be able to get there [a sale], you need to have someone respond on the other side," Henry said at the time.
"It hasn't happened yet, but we and he is here to stay. So, let's see what's going to happen. But for the moment, we enjoyed the win yesterday.
"There's no dialogue at the moment and I feel it's going to be a long process. I said this the last time I was on the show [Monday Night Football]. How long it's going to be, I don't actually know. But we are here to stay."
Ek raised his profile in regards to Arsenal when he tweeted at the time: "As a kid growing up, I’ve cheered for @Arsenal as long as I can remember. If KSE would like to sell Arsenal I'd be happy to throw my hat in the ring."
Ek is worth a reported $2.8 billion which is dwarfed in comparison to the $12bn of Kroenke. In 2021 he had a spike to being worth $4.6bn which happened to coincide with links to Arsenal.
No such avenue for takeover appears to be open anymore, though, but his latest public statement is evidence of just how far the club have come without him.
