EU News Digest Latest News & Updates
Andrew Powell | Liverpool FC | Getty Images
Sadio Mane of Liverpool competes with Sadio Mane of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on August 14, 2016 in London, England.
The club is now under new manager Unai Emery, who won three Europa League titles with Sevilla and more recently was in charge of Paris Saint-Germain. He takes over a side that again won’t be playing in the top Champions League soccer tournament, having failed to qualify for a second consecutive season. But Kroenke wants this buyout to change that.
“KSE’s ambitions for the club are to see it competing consistently to win the Premier League and the Champions League, as well as the major trophies in the women’s senior game and at youth level.” The statement went on to add.
Arsenal has spent £70 million on new players as it shows intent on getting back among Europe’s elite. But some close to the club aren’t so convinced by the announcement. The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust (AST) was quick to react to the news, calling it “a dreadful day.”
The AST went on to list its reservations suggesting “Stan Kroenke taking the club private will see the end of supporters owning shares in Arsenal and their role upholding custodianship values.”
It is also unhappy about the idea of Arsenal being wholly owned by one person and concerned about the club potentially being pushed into debt in order to fund Kroenke’s other interests. As for matters on the soccer field, Arsenal has a tough looking opening to its new season, with a first match against defending Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday, followed by a trip to Chelsea a week later.
