The debate surrounding Arsenal’s owners, Kroenke Sports Entertainment, continues to rage and has become increasingly more divided after steps taken by KSE to improve relationships with supporters.
Arsenal have become a side in recent years to make drastic changes for both good and bad reasons. The Super League fiasco that forced an apology from the Kroenke family sat firmly in the negative end of the spectrum and the club’s heavy investment in the squad lays very much at the other.
Josh Kroenke, son of KSE owner Stan Kroenke, has become the main figurehead from the company’s perspective regarding Arsenal. Josh is the one to front up KSE’s public explanation of the Super League decision. He conducts more regular media interviews and now meets several times a year with the newly formed Fan Advisory Board.
Josh has, despite continuing doubt from the majority of the fan base which is more than justified, attempted to improve the image of the Arsenal ownership on several occasions.
Speaking ahead of the Superbowl, Josh appeared on The Road Trippin’ Show and was asked about his involvement with Arsenal. Within the discussion, Josh revealed that he would be meeting again with the Fan Advisory Board to discuss more the future changes of the club both on and off the field.
“We have an advisory board now that I meet with that involves several of our big supporter groups, elective representatives from there. I’m going to interact with them again this week. So you’re sharing and exchanging ideas about how you can interact better with them and their respective groups. From ideas around the stadium, the matchday experience to their ideas about how we can evolve our squad,” Josh said.
“I trust all of our ideas of how to evolve the squad more to Mikel Arteta and Edu. Those two guys I think are going to lead the charge along with this guy called Richard Garlick – behind the scenes dealing with all our player contracts.
“But those fans also provide an incredibly valuable perspective on community engagement. Where can I personally get more involved in the club, so you know who I am, and I am not just some name on a sheet?”
The Arsenal website provided an update of the topics discussed at the meeting a couple of days prior to the publication of Josh Kroenke’s appearance on the Road Trippin’ Show.
Emirates renovation, transfer investment and league promises
Stating that a summary of the season so far was provided, as well as updates on the recent transfer window, planned stadium initiatives, investments and developments on an approach to safe standing amongst other things.
There has been speculation that there would be a summer overhaul of the Emirates Stadium’s infrastructure to move it on from the dated aesthetic since its completion in 2006.
Considering KSE’s recent construction of the SoFi stadium which hosted the Superbowl and the state-of-the-art design that went into its infrastructure, it is little surprise that the owners are keen to update the club’s 16-year-old home.
These big changes which are set to take place to coincide with a renewed focus on improving Arsenal’s position in the table.
Josh Kroenke admitted that he wants his club to be higher than the current standing in the Premier League, even reaching the heights of the 2003/04 Invincibles squad.
More investment will be needed in the squad to make that happen. To close the gap to the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, first the team must qualify for the Champions League and then push onwards to try and compete.
Josh has proven to be an excellent speaker, it is now time to see these words put into action and the next six-plus months will provide plenty of early evidence to this vision for both on and off-field ambitions.
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