Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke sat down with ESPN FC’s James Olley in Los Angeles during the pre-season USA tour.
Josh discussed how Arsenal has evolved under his family’s tenure, the European Super League fallout, and his long-term ambitions for the club.
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), founded by Stan Kroenke, Josh’s father, owns five US sports teams and Arsenal in the English Premier League.
The group continues to build success across its portfolio, with four of the stateside teams recently winning national titles.
… on the opportunities for synergy between KSE’s teams
“The benefit of the organisation my dad has built has given us the ability to cross-pollinate certain concepts and ideas across similar but different businesses, and those are our teams.”
… on Mikel Arteta’s close relationship with LA Rams head coach Sean McVay
“I know Mikel is not about to tell Sean how to run routes. And Sean is not about to teach Mikel how to play out from the back. But the way they approach the dressing room, the way they handle conversations with players, the psychology of managing people is there for everyone to absorb.”
… on whether the club was up for sale after the 2021 European Super League debacle
“No, there was never really … offers this, offers that. My dad, our family, are long-term investors, long-term holders. For me personally, I have been involved with the club for over 10 years now, around the board, and I really enjoy it and I love the club.”
… on the backlash from fans and lessons learned from the failed ESL project
“On the back of that, we came out and I know from myself in particular, I got with some of our best supporter groups, got some feedback. As with any human being, if you feel like you’ve done something wrong or you’ve upset someone you raise your hand and say: ‘How can we be better and can we work together?’.”
… on how Arteta has nurtured the wonderful fan connection
“I was showing someone a video the other day of after our last match of last season, it was 45 minutes after the match but the only people who had left was the away section [Everton fans]. It was full all the way around. We’ve always had great support, but to see that love for Mikel and the players and for them give it back, that was a goose-bumps-type moment for me.”
… on the challenge in 2018 of taking full ownership of the club and Arsene Wenger retiring
“The tenure that [Wenger] was on and the impact he had will continue with our club forever. Turning that page and getting that correct was never going to be an easy process and I don’t think anybody would have got everything 100% correct as you transitioned out of that. There’s a certain amount of change that exists in an organisation that is healthy. But if you go through too much change, it is very difficult to stay stable.”
… on Unai Emery’s time as manager
“Unfortunately, it didn’t work out with Unai Emery, but I am pleased to see him go on to have success. He is a good man, I really respected him … I’m glad to see a good person having success somewhere else.”
… on promoting a winning mentality
“We have experience winning with other teams – winning is not a linear process. Winning at the highest level is very difficult and putting a group together to go and win things and having a chance to win things year-in, year-out requires a lot of different elements.”
… on trust in the senior management group of Arteta, Edu, Richard Garlick (CEO) and Tim Lewis (Director)
“One of the terms that has come up at different times, whether we’re talking about Mikel’s first year or two on the job, is requiring patience or things of that nature. That is required at times, but you also need to be a bit ruthless and make sure you are not sliding in the wrong direction while you are showing patience. That’s where your trust with your group comes in.”
… on the possibility of upgrading the Emirates Stadium
“It would be premature to talk about any plans in depth, but the internal conversations are starting to occur about [the stadium]. It is not an easy renovation, but we see the possibilities of what’s there.”
… on what fans can expect going forward
“Everything they’ve gotten in the last few years. We’re going to keep adding to the group. I know Mikel’s energy is through the roof in the best of ways. In our women’s team as well, you see how women’s sport is taking off around the world. We are really excited about that part of the business. But as a club our main goal is to continue to make our supporters proud.”
… on returning Arsenal to football’s top table
“Our goal was always to compete for the Premier League title because if you look around the world, if you are competing for the title year-in, year-out, you are competing for everything else.”
… on how the club can go one better this campaign
“Last year, you saw us, and I was wondering ‘this group might be ready for it,’ but then we fell short. But I think this group is ready for the challenge and we’re going to keep adding some talent to it, so we have a chance to get one spot higher and really give our fans something to celebrate.”
The post Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke: I love the club appeared first on AFTV.
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